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IZAAK     WALTON. 


The  Complete  Angler. 


THE         ^         ^         ^         ^ 

COMPLETE  ANGLER 

OR  THE 

Contemplative  Man's  Recreation 

By  IZAAK  WALTON  and  CHARLES  COTTON 
Edited  by  JOHN  MAJOR 


ILLUSTRATED 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY,      ^    ^    ji    ^ 
^    ^    ^      PUBLISHERS,  NEW  YORK 


CONTENTS. 


introductory  essay •       •       •       •        9 

Author's  Dedication  to  John  Offley,  Esq,            •       •       •      35 
Author's  Address  TO  HIS  Readers •      37 


PART  I. 

THE    FIRST    DAY, 

Chap.  L — A  Conference  betwixt  an  Angler,  a  Hunter,  and  a 

Falconer,  each  commending  his  Recreation        •        .        •      41 

the  second  day. 
Chap,  II.— Observations  of  the  Otter  and  Chub  •        •       •        »      73 

the  third  day. 

Chap.  III. — How  to  fish  for,  and  to  dress,  the  Chavender,  or 

Chub Si 

Chap.  IV.— Observations  of  the  Nature  and  Breeding  of  the 

Trout,  and  how  to  fish  for  him.     And  the  Milkmaid's  Song      87 

the  third  and  fourth  days. 

Chap.  V. — More  Directions  how  to  fish  for,  and  how  to  make  for 
the  Trout  an  Artificial  Minnow  and  Flies,  with  some 
Merriment '"QQ 

THE    fourth    day. 

Chap.  VI.— Observations  of  the  Umber  or  Grayling,  and  Direc- 
tions how  to  figh  for  them     .        •       •       •       •        ^       •     134 


6  CONTENTS. 

PACK 

Chap.  VII. — Observations  of  the  Salmon,  with  Directions  how  to 

fish  for  him 137 

Chap.  VIII. — Observations  of  the  Luce  or  Pike,  with  Directions 

how  to  fish  for  him 144 

Chap.  IX. — Observations  of  the  Carp,  with  Directions  how  to  fish 

for  him 155 

Chap.  X. — Observations  of   the   Bream,  and   Directions  to  catch 

him       .         . 163 

Chap.  XI. — Observations  of  the  Tench,  and  Advice  how  to  angle 

for  him 170 

Chap.  XII. — Observations  of  the  Pearch,  and  Directions  how  to 

fish  for  him 173 

Chap.  XIII. — Observations  of  the  Eel,  and  other  Fish  that  want 

scales,  and  how  to  fish  for  them 178 

Chap.  XIV. — Observations  of  the  Barbel,  and  Directions  how  to 

fish  for  him 185 

Chap.  XV. — Observations  of  the  Gudgeon,  the  Ruffe,  and  the 

Bleak,  and  how  to  fish  for  them 190 

Chap.  XVL— Is  of  nothing,  or  that  which  is  nothing  worth    •        .     193 

THE    FIFTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XVII.— Of  Roach  and  Dace,  and  how  to  fish  for  them  j  and 

of  Cadis 200 

Chap.  XVIII.— Of  the  Minnow  or  Penk,  of  the  Loach,  and  of 

the  Bull-Head,  or  Miller's  Thumb 2to 

Chap.  XIX. — Of  several  Rivers,  and  some  Observations  of  Fish  .  214 
Chap.  XX. — Of  Fish-Ponds,  and  how  to  order  them  .  .  .218 
Chap.  XXI. — Directions  for  making  of  a  Line,  and  for  the  coloring 

of  both  Rod  and  Line 221 


PART    IL 

instructions  how  to  angle  for  a  trout  or  grayling 
in  a  clear  stream. 

The  First  Day ,       .       •       .    237 

The  Second  Day.        •••••••••    253 

The  Third  Day  •       •       •       •       •       •        •       •       •       •    291 


CONTENTS.  7 

rxGB 

LiNNiEAN  Arrangement  OF  THE  Fish 306 

Original  AND  Selected  Notes  *        •       •       ,       .       .       .311 
General  Index 349 

*  In  these  notes,  in  addition  to  much  biographical  and  historical  informa- 
tion, will  be  found  the  VARIOUS  READINGS  of  the  Editions  published  in  the 
lifetime  of  the  Author. 


•(gs[iii^@iiir^iiiiMiiiliiMiii^ii^i!i 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 


TF  there  were  a  single  circumstance  by  which  the  fame  of 
■^  those  ''  honorable  men,"  the  effigies  of  whom  now  face  the 
reader,  could  possibly  be  enhanced,  it  was  that  of  having  for 
their  biographer  one  who,  with  the  soundest  judgment,  pos- 
sessed a  sweetness  of  disposition  ever  inclining  to  the  bright 
side  of  things,  a  veracity  not  to  be  questioned,  and  a  felicity 
of  expression  peculiarly  his  own  :  thus  gifted,  like  the  skilful 
artist,  at  once  both  flattering  and  faithful,  he  brought  to  the 
task  of  delineation  that  delicacy  due  to  family  feehng,  com- 
bined with  the  justice  demanded  by  strict  impartiality :  the 
existence  and  the  application,  therefore,  of  such  rare  qualities 
are  equally  the  subject  of  exultation. 

On  the  other  hand,  that  Izaak  Walton  should  have  been 
deemed  by  his  contemporaries  the  fittest  of  all  persons  to  per- 
form so  important  a  task,  were  sufficient,  by  reflection  alone, 
to  insure  to  himself  an  imperishable  name  ;  the  pictorial  allu- 
sion, therefore,  at  the  head  of  this  Introductory  Essay  will 
probably  be  deemed  particularly  appropriate :  it  contains  the 
portraits  of  Dr.  John  Donne,  Mr.  George  Herbert,  Bishop 
Sanderson,  Mr.  Richard  Hooker,  and  Sir  Henry  Wotton, 
whose  lives,  at  different  times,  were  written  by  Walton. 

The  praise  bestowed  on  the  Life  of  Dr.  Donne  by  Dr.  King, 
afterwards  Bishop  of  Winchester,  in  a  letter  to  Walton  himself, 


lO  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 

is  equally  applicable  to  the  rest : — "  I  am  glad  that  the  general 
demonstration  of  his  worth  was  so  fairly  preserved  and  repre- 
sented to  the  world  by  your  pen,  in  the  history  of  his  life ;  in- 
deed, so  well,  that,  beside  others,  the  best  critic  of  our  later 
time,  Mr.  John  Hales  of  Eaton,  affirmed  to  me  he  had  not 
seen  a  life  written  with  more  advantage  to  the  subject,  or  repu- 
tation to  the  writer,  than  that  of  Dr.  Donne." 

The  posthumous  fame  of  these  lives  so  well  accords  with  this 
contemporary  applause,  that  they  are  to  be  found  in  almost 
every  respectable  library ;  yet  it  were  unpardonable  on  the 
occasion  of  this  attempt  *  to  give  additional  popularity  to  our 
author's  inimitable  work  of  the  Complete  Angler,  not  to  re- 
mind the  reader  that  he  has  other  claims  to  literary  reputation 
than  those  derived  from  this  truly  felicitous  achievement. 

In  both  instances  he  became  an  author  by  mere  chance.  Sir 
Henry  Wotton  had  undertaken  to  write  the  life  of  Dr.  Donne, 
and  had  requested  Walton  to  assist  him  in  collecting  materials 
for  that  purpose ;  but  Sir  Henry  dying  before  it  was  completed, 
Walton  undertook  it  himself,  and  succeeded  so  fully  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  most  learned  men  of  his  time,  that  it  was  to 
be  attributed  to  their  importunity,  rather  than  to  his  own  am- 
bition, that  he  performed  the^same  office  for  his  "dear  friend 
Sir  Henry"  himself,  and  those  other  eminent  men  whose 
names  have  just  been  enumerated. 

Sir  Henry  Wotton  too,  as  it  appears  from  the  Dedication  of 
the  Complete  Angler  to  John  Offley,f  Esq.,  had  intended  *'  to 

*The  attempt  was  so  successful,  as  to  leave  me  forever  indebted  to  the 
whole  body  of  the  public  press.  Dr.  Southey  also  spoke  of  this  humble 
Essay  in  terms  too  flattering  to  be  here  adduced ;  but  I  must  crave  pardon 
for  the  necessary  egotism  of  a  few  other  notes.  Twenty-one  years  having 
now  elapsed,  and  three  editions  become  scarce,  I  have,  in  the  endeavor  yet 
further  to  increase  the  popularity  of  this  work,  again  the  co-operation  of  a 
host  of  talent  and  a  world  of  kindness !— whjle  the  stanchest  Waltonians  have 
looked  on,  free  from  jealousy,  and  anxious  only  to  see  their  beloved  author 
made  as  attractive  as  possible  to  the  rising  generation. 

tThis  gentleman,  whose  ancestors  have  been  settled  at  Madeley  Manor 
as  early  as  the  year  1237,  married  the  heiress  of  the  Crewes,  of  Crewe  Hall, 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  II 

write  a  discourse  of  the  Art  and  in  praise  of  Angling,  and," 
continues  Walton,  ''doubtless  he  had  done  so,  if  death  had 
not  prevented  him ;  the  remembrance  of  which  hath  often 
made  me  sorry :  for  if  he  had  lived  to  do  it,  then  the  unlearned 
angler  had  seen  some  better  treatise  of  this  art,  a  treatise  that 
might  have  proved  worthy  his  perusal,  which,  though  some 
have  undertaken,  I  caidd  never  yet  see  in  English." 

Here  again  our  modest  author  finds  an  excuse  for  the  under- 
taking of  a  work,  of  which  it  seems  almost  too  weak  a  praise  to 
say,  that  its  parallel  could  scarcely  have  been  hoped  for,  even 
from  the  elegant  mind  of  Sir  Henry  Wotton  himself. 

Our  author,  who  was  born  at  Stafford  in  1593,  but  who 
lived  the  greatest  part  of  his  time  in  London,  published  the 
first  edition  of  this  celebrated  work  in  1653,  and  lived  to  see  it 
go  through  no  less  than  five  editions ;  the  last  of  which,  in 
1676,  was  accompanied  by  a  Second  Part^  written  by  his  in- 
timate friend  and  adopted  son,  Charles  Cotton  of  Beresford 
Hall,  in  the  County  of  Stafford,  Esq.  This  Second  Part,  in 
which  Mr.  Cotton,  from  his  local  opportunities,  was  enabled 
to  treat  more  at  large  on  Fly-fishing  than  Walton  had  proposed 
to  do,  forms  an  important  part  of  the  work,  in  more  than  one 
point  of  view ;  but  chiefly,  as  conveying  the  fullest  evidence 
of  that  reverence,  and  almost  homage,  which  its  accomplished 
author  entertained  for  the  character  of  Walton. 

The  Fishing-house  on  the  banks  of  the  Dove  seems  to  have 
been  built  expressly  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  their  friend- 
ship;  the  motto  over  its  door  was  ^^  Plscator'cbus  sacruyny^ 
with  the  initials  of  Walton  and  Cotton  interwoven  in  a  cipher 
upon  the  keystone  of  the  building,  and  the  same  cipher  was, 
by  Mr.  Cotton's  desire,  placed  in  the  title-page  of  the  first 
edition  of  his  portion  of  the  work,  and  has  been  continued  in 
all  those  since  published. 

This  part  of  our  history  will  be  fully  illustrated  by  the  fol- 

and  was  the  progenitor  of  the  present  Lord  Crewe.  The  family  is  connected 
by  marriages  with  the  noble  houses  of  Hastings,  Powis,  and  Wilton. 


ti  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

lowing  short  epistles  which  passed  gn  the  occasion ;  and  the 
opportunity  is  taken  of  giving  the  signatures  in  the  genuine 
autographs  of  the  authors, — that  of  Walton  being  also  intro- 
duced, with  a  more  enlarged  specimen  of  his  handwriting,  in 
another  place. 

To  my  most  worthy  Father  and  Friend,  Mr.  Izaak  Walton,  the  Elder, 
Sir,— 
Being  you  were  pleased,  some  years  past,  to  grant  me  your  free  leave  to 
do  what  I  have  here  attempted,  and  observing  you  never  retract  any 
promise,  when  made  in  favor  even  of  your  meanest  friends,  I  accordingly 
expect  to  see  these  following  particular  directions  for  the  taking  of  a  trout 
to  wait  upon  your  better  and  more  general  rules  for  all  sorts  of  angling : 
and,  though  mine  be  neither  so  perfect,  so  well  digested,  nor  indeed  so 
handsomely  couched,  as  they  might  have  been,  in  so  long  a  time  as  since 
your  leave  was  granted,  yet  I  dare  affirm  them  to  be  generally  true  ;  and 
they  had  appeared  too  in  something  a  neater  dress,  but  that  I  was  sur- 
prised with  the  sudden  news  of  a  sudden  new  edition  of  your  Complete 
Angler :  so  that,  having  but  a  little  more  than  ten  days*  time  to  turn  me 
in,  and  rub  up  my  memory,  for,  in  truth,  I  have  not,  in  all  this  long  time, 
though  I  have  often  thought  on't,  and  almost  as  often  resolved  to  go 
presently  about  it,  I  was  forced  upon  the  instant  to  scribble  what  I  here 
present  you  ;  which  I  have  also  endeavored  to  accommodate  to  your  own 
method.  And,  if  mine  be  clear  enough  for  the  honest  Brothers  of  the 
Angle  readily  to  understand,  which  is  the  only  thing  I  aim  at,  then  I  have 
my  end,  and  shall  need  to  make  no  further  apology  :  a  writing  of  this 
kind  not  requiring,  if  I  were  master  of  any  such  thing,  any  eloquence  to 
set  it  off  or  recommend  it ;  so  that  if  you,  in  your  better  judgment,  or 
kindness  rather,  can  allow  it  passable,  for  a  thing  of  this  nature,  you  will 
then  do  me  honor,  if  the  Cipher,  fixed  and  carved  in  the  front  of  my  little 
fishing-house,  may  be  here  explained  :  and  to  permit  me  to  attend  you  in 
public,  who,  in  private,  have  ever  been,  am,  and  ever  resolve  to  be,  sir. 
Your  most  affectionate  son  and  servant. 


Beresford^        _ 
Vatk  of  March,  167  g. 


/ 


To  my  most  honored  Friend,  Charles  Cotton,  Esq. 
Sir,— 
You  now  see  I  have  returned  you  your  very  pleasant  and  useful  discourse 
of  the  Art  of  Fly-fishing,  printed  just  as  it  was  sent  me  :  for  I  have 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  I3 

so  obedient  to  your  desires,  as  to  endure  all  the  praises  you  have  ventured 
to  fix  upon  me  in  it.  And  when  1  have  thanked  you  for  them,  as  the 
effects  of  an  undissembled  love,  then  let  me  tell  you,  sir,  that  I  will  really 
endeavor  to  live  up  to  the  character  you  have  given  of  me ;  if  there  were 
no  other  reason,  yet  for  this  alone,  that  you,  that  love  me  so  well,  and 
always  think  what  you  speak,  may  not,  for  my  sake,  suffer  by  a  mistake  in 
your  judgment. 

And,  sir,  I  have  ventured  to  fill  a  part  of  your  margin,  by  way  of  para> 
phrase,  for  the  reader's  clearer  understanding  the  situation,  both  of  your 
Fishing-house,  and  the  pleasantness  of  that  you  dwell  in.  And  I  have 
▼entured  also  to  give  him  a  copy  of  verses  that  you  were  pleased  to  send 
me,  now  some  years  past ;  in  which  he  may  see  a  good  picture  of  both  ; 
and  so  much  of  your  own  mind,  too,  as  will  make  any  reader  that  is  blest 
with  a  generous  soul  to  love  you  the  better.  I  confess,  that  for  doing 
this  you  may  justly  judge  me  too  bold  :  if  you  do,  I  will  say  so  too  ;  and 
so  far  commute  for  my  offence,  that,  though  I  be  more  than  a  hundred 
miles  from  you,  and  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  my  age,  yet  I  will  forget 
both,  and  next  month  begin  a  pilgrimage  to  beg  your  pardon ;  for  I  would 
die  in  your  favor ;  and  till  then  will  live,  sir. 

Your  most  affectionate  father  and  friend. 

With  this  enlarged  edition  also  appeared,  for  the  first  time, 
the  following  beautiful  verses,  exhibiting  as  favorable  a  speci- 
men of  Cotton's  poetical  powers  as  his  whole  works  could 
supply. 

THE    RETIREMENT. 

IRREGULAR    STANZAS,  t 

ADDRESSED  TO 

MR.     IZAAK    WALTON. 


CAREWELL,  thou  busy  world  I  and  may 

We  never  meet  again  : 
Here  I  can  eat,  and  sleep,  and  pray, 
And  do  more  good  in  one  short  day. 
Than  he,  who  his  whole  age  outwears 
Upon  the  most  conspicuous  theatres. 
Where  naught  but  vanity  and  vice  do  reigm 


14  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

II. 

Good  God  !  how  sweet  are  all  things  here  I 
How  beautiful  the  fields  appear  ! 

How  cleanly  do  we  feed  and  lie  ! 
Lord  !  what  good  hours  do  we  keep  I 
How  quietly  we  sleep  ! 

What  peace  !  what  unanimity  ! 
How  innocent  from  the  lewd  fashion 
Is  all  our  business,  all  our  recreation  1 

III. 

O  how  happy  here's  our  leisure  I 
O  how  innocent  our  pleasure  ! 
O  ye  valleys  !     O  ye  mountains  ! 
O  ye  groves,  and  crystal  fountains  | 
How  I  love  at  liberty, 
"By  turns,  to  come  and  visit  ye  I 

IV. 

Dear  Solitude,  the  soul's  best  friend, 

That  man  acquainted  with  himself  dost  make^ 

And  all  his  Maker's  wonders  to  entend, 

With  thee  I  here  converse  at  will, 

And  would  be  glad  to  do  so  still ; 

For  it  is  thou  alone  that  keep'st  the  soul  awake; 

V. 

How  calm  and  quiet  a  delight 

Is  it  alone 
To  read,  and  meditate,  and  write  j 

By  none  offended,  and  offending  none  I 
To  walk,  ride,  sit,  or  sleep  at  one's  own  ease, 
And,  pleasing  a  man's  self,  none  other  to  displease  I 

VI. 

O  my  beloved  Nymph  !  fair  Dove  I 
Princess  of  Rivers  !  how  I  love 

Upon  thy  flowery  banks  to  lie. 
And  view  thy  silver  stream, 
When  gilded  by  a  summer's  beam, 

And  in  it  all  thy  wanton  fry 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  IS 

Playing  at  liberty  ; 
And,  with  my  angle  upon  them. 
The  all  of  treachery 
I  ever  learned  industriously  to  try. 

VII. 

Such  streams,  Rome's  yellow  Tiber  cannot  show. 

The  Iberian  Tagus,  or  Ligurian  Po  ; 

The  Maese,  the  Danube,  and  the  Rhine, 

Are  puddle-water  all,  compared  with  thine  ; 

And  Loire's  pure  streams  yet  too  polluted  are 

With  thine  much  purer  to  compare  ; 

The  rapid  Garonne,  and  the  winding  Seine, 

Are  both  too  mean, 

Beloved  Dove,  with  thee 

To  vie  priority ; 

Nay,  Thame  and  Isis  when  conjoined  submit. 

And  lay  their  trophies  at  thy  silver  feet, 

VIII. 
O  my  beloved  rocks,  that  rise 
To  awe  the  earth  and  brave  the  skies ! 
From  some  aspiring  mountain's  crown, 

How  dearly  do  I  love. 
Giddy  with  pleasure,  to  look  down, 

And  from  the  vales  to  view  the  noble  heights  abore  I 
O  my  beloved  caves  !  from  Dog-star's  heat, 
And  all  anxieties,  my  safe  retreat ; 
What  safety,  privacy,  what  true  delight, 
In  th'  artificial  night 
Your  gloomy  entrails  make, 
Have  I  taken,  do  I  take  ! 
How  oft,  when  grief  has  made  me  fly 
To  hide  me  from  society, 
Ev'n  of  my  dearest  friends,  have  I 

In  your  recesses'  friendly  shade 

All  my  sorrows  open  laid, 
And  my  most  secret  woes  intrusted  to  your  piivaqrl 


Lord  !  would  men  let  me  alont, 
What  an  over-happy  one 


iC  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

Should  I  think  myself  to  be, 
Might  I,  in  this  desert  place, 
Which  most  men  in  discourse  disgrace. 

Live  but  undisturbed  and  free  I 
Here,  in  this  despised  recess, 

Would  I,  maugre  Winter's  cold. 
And  the  Summer's  worst  excess. 

Try  to  live  out  to  sixty  full  years  old  ! 
And  all  the  while. 

Without  an  envious  eye, 
On  any  thriving  under  Fortune's  smile 

Contented  live,  and  then — contented  die, 

C.  C. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  purity  of  sentiment  contained  in 
these  verses,  we  are  compelled  to  add  that  the  virtuous  aspira- 
tions of  the  poet  were  rendered  vain  by  a  general  want  of 
economy  in  his  affairs :  thus  forming  a  striking  contrast  to  those 
of  the  practical  morahst,  whom  we  cannot  help  wishing  he  had 
been  able  to  imitate  in  a  degree  more  consistent  with  his  truly 
creditable  admiration.  Nevertheless,  their  connection  was 
highly  honorable  to  them  both;  it  is  beautiful  to  fancy  the 
cheerful  sage  relaxing  to  accommodate  himself  to  the  compara- 
tively dissipated  man  of  fashion,  who,  on  the  other  hand,  seems 
to  have  held  himself  as  it  were  in  a  course  of  reformation,  in 
compliment  to  his  indulgent  friend  :  nothing  can  be  finer  than 
his  carrying  this  temper  to  the  length  of  making  his  acceptable- 
ness  to  Walton  the  test  of  his  general  worthiness.  See  Part  II. 
Chap.  I.  :  *'  My  father  Walton  will  be  seen  twice  in  no  man's 
company  he  does  not  like,  and  likes  none  but  such  as  he  beheves 
to  be  very  honest  men ;  which  is  one  of  the  best  arguments,  or 
at  least  one  of  the  best  testimonies  I  have,  that  I  either  am,  or 
that  he  thinks  me,  one  of  those,  seeing  I  have  not  yet  found 
him  weary  of  me." 

Yet  here  we  cannot  refrain  from  the  remark,  that  Walton 
triumphs  over  his  coadjutor  as  much  in  the  true  aims  of  genius 
as  in  moral  worth ;  having  immortalized  himself  by  a  work 
which  he  produced  by  mere  accident ! — whilst  Cotton,  though 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  1/ 

almost  an  author  by  profession,  having  chosen  disgusting  topics 
for  many  of  his  original  compositions,  now  lives  chiefly  in 
connection  with  the  name  of  his  venerable  friend  : — or,  to  say 
the  least,  the  benign  influence  of  a  virtuous  association  was  never 
more  strikingly  illustrated,  since  his  devoted  attachment  to 
Walton  forms  the  best  evidence  we  have  of  his  naturally  amiable 
disposition,  and  a  more  honorable,  if  not  a  more  certain  im- 
mortality, is,  on  his  part,  the  issue  of  this  ever-memorable 
friendship ;  and  yet  it  has  been  recently  and  justly  observed, 
that  a  judicious  selection  of  his  poems  would  stamp  him  2&  first 
rate  with  the  present  age ;  though  his  capacity  to  vie  with  the 
most  licentious  wits  of  his  own  times  injured  his  performances, 
taken  as  a  whole — his  Muse  was  truly  '^fond  to  inspire"  if 
sometimes  **  ashamed  to  avow" — he  flew  to  his  pen  upon  all 
occasions,  and  was  so  ready  at  it,  that  he  could  disclose  all  his 
troubles,  and  his  own  noble,  generous,  jovial,  and  even  thankful 
temper  in  half  a  score  lines,  as  in  the  following  part  of  an 
epistle  to  his  friend  Sir  Clifford  CHfton. 

**  He's  good  fellow  enough  to  do  every  one  right, 
And  never  was  first  that  asked  what  time  of  night ; 
His  delight  is  to  toss  the  can  merrily  round, 
And  loves  to  be  wet,  but  hates  to  be  drowned  ; 
He  fain  would  be  just,  but  sometimes  he  cannot, 
Which  gives  him  the  trouble  that  other  men  ha'  not ; 
He  honors  his  friend,  but  he  wants  means  to  show  it. 
And  loves  to  be  rhyming,  but  is  the  worst  poet. 
Yet  among  all  these  vices,  to  give  him  his  due, 
He  has  virtue  to  be  a  true  lover  of  you  ; 
But  how  much  he  loves  you,  he  says  you  may  guess  it, 
Since  nor  prose  nor  yet  metre  he  swears  can  express  it !  " 

Right  pithily,  also,  has  honest  Charles  anticipated  as  full  a 
reply  as  will  ever  be  necessary  to  all  revilers  of  his  favorite  re- 
creation : — 

*•  We  care  not  who  says. 
And  intends  it  dispraise, 
ThM  an  angler  to  a  fool  is  next  neighbor  \ 


l8  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

Let  him  prate  ;  what  care  we  j 
We're  as  honest  as  he, 
And  so  let  him  take  that  for  his  labor  !  "  * 
••  There  are  who  think  these  pastimes  scarce  humane, 
Yet  m  my  mind  (and  not  relentless  I) 
His  life  is  pure  that  wears  tw  fouler  stains." 

But  to  return  to  Walton,  who  must  have  often  lamented  the 
misfortunes  of  his  adopted  son. 

The  precise  situation  in  life  in  which  Walton  was  placed  has 
unfortunately  never  reached  posterity ;  and,  with  due  deference 
to  his  earliest  biographers,  we  cannot  help  thinking  it  has  been 
fixed  in  too  humble  a  sphere. 

Sir  John  Hawkins  speaks  of  a  deed  dated  1624,  by  which  it 
appears  that  his  house  in  Fleet  Street  was  in  the  Joint  occupa- 
tion of  Izaak  Walton  and  John  Mason,  Hosier;  *' whence," 
says  Sir  John,  <*  we  may  conclude,  that  half  a  shop  was  suf- 
ficient for  the  business  of  Walton."  Now  to  this  deduction 
we  by  no  means  agree ;  but  in  unison  with  the  tradition  in  his 
family,  that  he  was  **  a  wholesale  Linen-draper  or  Hamburgh 
Merchant y'^  would  much  rather  infer  that  Izaak  Walton  (it  is 
to  be  observed  that  his  name  is  mentioned  first  in  the  said 
deed)  had  let  a  part  of  his  house  to  the  said  John  Mason,  his 
own  business  not  requiring  the  public  exposure  of  his  goods. 

Be  this  as  it  might,  we  have  the  pleasure  of  presenting  the 
reader  with  a  genuine  view  of  the  house  rendered  so  truly  in- 
teresting as  the  dwelling  of  our  author ;  the  curious  in  London 
topography  will  recognize  the  corner  house,  in  the  print  an- 
nexed to  this  Essay,  as  the  southwest  end  of  Chancery  Lane, 
Fleet  Street,  as  it  appeared  till  within  about  the  last  sixteen 
years.  The  third  west  from  the  corner  is  considered  as  the 
identical  house  of  Walton,  whilst  the  view  at  the  same  time 
contains  a  glance  of  the  curious  old  houses  up  Chancery  Lane, 

♦As  for  that  morbid  sensibility  which  rails  at  angling  on  the  score  of  cru- 
elty, let  us  rely  on  the  defence  of  the  invincibly  reasoning  Armstrong, — it 
was  neither  made  on  behalf  of  Walton  nor  Cotton,  but  in  justice  tp  God  jind 
for  all  mankind  t 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  I9 

in  one  of  which  he  also  resided  about  ten  years  after  the  above 
date.  It  is  probably  the  only  correct  delineation  extant,  hav- 
ing been  drawn  on  the  spot  by  the  late  Mr.  Smith  of  the  Brit- 
ish Museum,  whose  superiority  in  topographical  delineation  is 
particularly  well  known. 

Again,  we  find  some  of  our  author's  biographers  full  of 
wonder  at  the  extent  and  high  respectability  of  his  connections, 
particularly  among  the  superior  clergy  of  his  time ; — it  is  true 
that  this  distinction  is  ascribed  to  the  most  honorable  sources, 
integrity  of  character,  and  amiableness  of  disposition ;  we  are 
also  apprised  of  the  undoubted  fact,  that  he  was  brother-in-law 
to  the  amiable  Bishop  Ken,  whilst  his  direct  consanguinity  with 
Archbishop  Cranmer  himself  is  (although  erroneously)  insisted 
on.  By  extraordinary  ingenuity,  therefore,  mystery  has  been 
created  out  of  the  very  circumstances  calculated  to  afford  eluci- 
dation ;  for  what  is  this  but  presenting  Walton  to  us  in  the 
midst  of  his  own  relations  and  family  friends  ?  *  proving  him 
to  have  been  in  a  walk  of  life,  whatever  it  exactly  was,  consist- 
ent even  with  their  alliance,  as  well  as  countenance  and  protec- 
tion !  To  reason  but  a  little  further,  (see  only  the  list  of  inti- 
mates named  in  his  will !)  he  appears  to  have  known  almost 
everybody  who  was  worth  knowing ! — and  were  it  not  that 
there  seems  to  be  no  record  of  his  intimacy  with  the  congeni- 
ally-minded Evelyn,  we  should  apply  to  him  what  was  said  by 
Johnson  of  Congreve : — ''He  lived  only  for  himself  and  his 
friends,  and  amongst  his  friends  he  was  able  to  name  almost 
every  man  of  his  time  whom  wit  or  elegance  had  raised  to 
reputation !  " 

That  he  was  bred  to  trade  may  be  accounted  for,  either 

*  Even  of  John  Offley,  Esq.  (see  ante,  p.  10),  it  is  stated  by  Sir  H.  Nicolas, 
•'  He  dedicated  the  work  to  John  Offley  of  Madeley  Manor  in  Staffordshire, 
Esquire,"  his  most  honored  friend,  "  who,  there  is  ground  for  supposing,  was 
remotely  relatedio  him."  In  another  place,  Sir  Hams  also  observes  :  "This 
dedication  is  not  the  only  evidence  of  a  personal  acquaintance  between  the 
families  of  Walton  and  Offley :  a  yokn  Offley  proved  the  will  of  A^nes  Wml' 
Un  of  the  parish  of  Madeley  qr  the  ^gd  of  April,  1573." 


20  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

from  the  circumstance  of  his  father's  dying  when  he  was  only 
two  years  old,  or  even  from  his  own  choice ;  and  that  there 
existed  no  necessary  incompatibility  between  the  character  he 
held  and  that  of  a  gentleman^  surely  he  may  be  said  to  have 
demonstrated,  of  whom  that  which  is  most  certainly  known 
would  do  honor  to  any  station  whatever.  His  *'  only  son 
Isaac"  we  find  bred  to  the  church,  seemingly  as  a  matter  of 
course ;  and  that  his  only  daughter  was  married  to  a  dignified 
clergyman,  Dr.  Hawkins  of  Winchester,  strengthens  all  the 
foregoing  arguments.* 

All  these  particulars  we  are  enabled  to  collect,  notwithstand- 
ing that  history  and  tradition  are  equally  parsimonious  respect- 
ing this  extraordinary  man ;  wherever  conjecture,  therefore, 
supplies,  of  necessity,  the  place  of  fact,  let  us  in  the  name  of 
goodness  (which  were  but  synonymous  with  saying  in  the  name 
of  Izaak  Walton)  regulate  our  decisions  with  one  constant 
view  to  his  immortal  honor  !  There  is,  at  least,  one  delight- 
ful reflection  to  be  drawn  from  the  internal  evidence  of  his 
own  work  : — he  did  really  and  substantially  enjoy,  in  his  own 
person,  that  true  happiness  which  he  would  teach  us  all  to  ac- 

*  But  I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  recording  a  very  interesting  new  fact  re- 
lating to  our  author.  So  lately  as  June,  1844,  a  paper— by  John  NichoU, 
Esq.,  of  Islington,  F.S.A.,  and  of  the  Worshipful  Company  of  Ironmongers 
—was  read  by  Sir  Henry  Ellis,  disclosing  as  follows  :  "  1617-18,  Isaac  Wal- 
ton w;is  made  one  of  the  Ironmongers'  Company,  by  Thomas  Grinsell,  Citizen 
and  Ironmonger."  This  may  be  relied  on,  whether  he  had  been  previously 
apprenticed  to  Henry  Walton  or  not,—"  but  it  does  not  appear  when  he  was 
bound  or  turned  over  to  Grinsell."  This  tempting  "  item  "  was  seized  by  our 
keen  antiquary,  with  the  eye  of  a  hawk  and  the  avidity  of  a  perch  ;— and  he 
has  declared  to  some  of  his  friends,  that  he  is  more  pleased  with  the  discov- 
ery than  with  any  other  result  of  his  researches  among  the  archives  of  his 
ancient  fraternity.  Walton  was  then  about  twenty-four  years  of  age,  before 
which,  in  those  days,  no  one  could  take  up  his  freedom.  Here,  then,  we  have 
the  very  first  event  oi  his  manhood  that  can  be  confirmed  by  a  date  :—^Xi6.  I 
still  contend  that  he  must  have  been  surrounded  by  guardian  friends,  in 
every  part  of  his  prosperous  career.  No  further  evidence  is  needed  than 
that  of  his  will  to  show  that  the  family  of  Grinsell  or  Grinsells  were  r/r/dr- 
tions  /—for  amongst  those  to  whom  he  leaves  memorial  rings  there  is  thil 
itero. — "  to  my  cosen  Grimells  widow." 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  21 

quire :  with  that  genuine,  philosophical  spirit  which  is  worthy 
of  universal  imitation,  he  sought  his  beloved  independence  in 
the  limitation  of  his  wants,  rather  than  by  aiming  at  the  ac- 
quirement of  large  possessions ;  his  book,  as  he  himself  tells  us, 
is  a  picture  of  his  own  mind,  and  had  that  book  been  called 
*'  The  Divine  Art  of  Contentment,"  or  ''  The  True  Christian 
Philosopher,"  its  principal  contents  would  have  justified  either 
of  those  titles,  equally  with  that  in  which  his  modesty  dic- 
tated its  setting  forth. 

Thus  has  this  delightful  work,  notwithstanding  its  unassum- 
ing title,  excited  from  the  first  a  most  commanding  attention ; 
and  may  be  said  to  have  risen  in  public  estimation,  even  to 
this  very  hour. 

The  selection  of  a  few  passages  from  his  various  editors  and 
disinterested  eulogists  will  best  prove  the  assertion  ;  a  slight 
glance,  however,  at  the  earliest  English  work  on  Angling, 
seems  to  be  first  necessary,  for  the  sake  of  those  of  our  readers 
who  may  have  been,  hitherto,  totally  unacquainted  with  Wal- 
tonian  lore.  We  allude  to  a  tract,  written  by  Dame  Juliana 
Barnes,  Prioress  of  the  Nunnery  of  Sopewell,  near  St.  Alban's, 
and  entitled  The  Treatyse  of  Fysshinge  with  an  Angle,  being 
part  of  a  book  *' known  to  the  curious  in  typographical  antiq- 
uities by  the  title  of  the  Book  of  St.  Albafi's.  Enprented  at 
Westmestre  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  in  1496,  in  small  Folio  ;  the 
book  consists  of  a  treatise  on  Hawking,  another  on  Hunting, 
which  is  all  in  verse ;  a  book  wherein  is  determined  the  Lyg- 
nage  of  Cote  Armures,  the  above-mentioned  treatise  of  Fishing, 
and  the  method  of  Blasynge  of  Armes." 

The  work  is  now  of  the  most  extreme  rarity,  yet  it  was 
doubtless  well  known  to  Walton,  some  of  whose  descriptions 
may  be  considered  as  paraphrastic  of  the  following  beautiful 
passage,  setting  forth  those  incidental  pleasures  of  the  angler 
which  exist  quite  independently  of  his  taking  fish, — he  having, 
'*Atte  the  leest  his  holsom  walke,  and  mery  at  his  ease,  a 
swete  ayre  of  the  swete  savoure  of  the  meede  floures  that 


22  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

makyth  him  hungry;  he  hereth  the  melodyoiis  armony  o! 
fowles;  he  seeth  the  yonge  swannes,  heerons,  duckes,  cotes, 
and  many  other  foules,  wyth  their  brodes ;  whyche  me  semyth 
better  than  alle  the  noyse  of  houndys,  the  blastes  of  hornys,  and 
the  cryes  of  fouHs,  that  hunters,  fawkeners,  and  foulers  can 
make.  And  if  the  angler  take  fysshe,  surely  then  is  there  noo 
man  merier  than  he  is  in  his  spyryte." 

It  is  also  probable  that  Walton  might  borrow  from  Barker's 
'*  Art  of  Angling,"  first  pubHshed  in  1651,  the  idea  of  making 
his  work  humorous  and  entertaining ;  but  how  fine  is  the  con- 
trast between  the  chastised  mirth  of  a  gentleman,  and  that  of 
the  mere  droll ! — for  poor  Mr.  Barker  aspires  to  nothing 
higher. 

As  for  Walton's  morality,  it  is  almost  entirely  his  own ;  we 
cannot  help  noticing  one  remarkable  instance  of  his  propriety 
and  delicacy  of  feeling ;  he  is  conscious  that,  for  some  very 
ardent  minds,  he  may  have  made  his  descriptions  too  seductive, 
and  consequently  he  takes  especial  care  to  furnish  a  hint  which 
may  serve  for  a  corrective :  it  occurs  near  the  commencement 
of  Chapter  V.,  where  Peter  says  :  '*  I  will  promise  you  I  will 
sing  another  song  in  praise  of  angling  to-morrow  night,  for  we 
will  not  part  till  then ;  but  fish  to-morrow  and  sup  together, 
and  the  next  day  every  man  leave  fishing,  and  fall  to  Ids  busi- 
ness!'' 

This  minute  piece  of  admonition  is  rendered  the  more  del- 
icate from  its  timely  utterance,  being  evidently  meant  to  re- 
mind us  that  we  should  fix  the  requisite  limits  to  our  pleasures, 
even  before  their  commencement. 

In  resuming  our  purpose  of  pointing  out  the  progressive 
and  still  growing  reputation  of  our  author,  it  may  be  fairly 
premised  that  what  we  now  present  is  to  be  viewed  as  the  grate- 
ful feeling  of  posterity,  in  opposition  to  that  contemporary 
applause  which  might  be  supposed  to  flow  from  favor  or  affec- 
tion. By  fax  the  greater  part  of  those  copies  of  verses,  pre- 
fixed, according  to  the  custom  of  the  time,  to  the  earlier 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  23 

editions,  by  friends  of  the  author,  might  be  deemed  liable  to 
this  exception ;  besides  that  they,  in  general,  partake  too  much 
of  metaphysical  conceit  to  continue  their  attendance  on  an 
author  whose  mind  was  as  unsophisticated  as  his  language  was 
beautiful: — truly,  indeed,  may  it  be  termed  the  '•'■  well-sprifig 
of  English,  pure  and  undefiled. ' ' 

The  Reverend  Moses  Browne  is  the  first  writer  whose  re- 
marks are  applicable  to  our  present  view  of  the  subject ;  he  re- 
vived the  ' '  Complete  Angler ' '  after  it  had  lain  dormant  for 
upwards  of  eighty  years ;  and  this  task,  be  it  never  forgotten, 
was  performed  at  the  instigation  of  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson  !  Mr. 
Browne,  in  his  Preface,  shows  a  laudable  anxiety  that  the 
work  should  be  known  as  a  literary  production,  and  not  as  a 
mere  book  of  fishing  ;  these  are  his  words : — "  Mr.  Isaac  Wal- 
ton's Complete  Angler,  which  (with  the  second  part  by  Mr. 
Cotton,  of  equal  scarcity  and  value,  I  have  the  satisfaction  of 
restoring  in  the  present  manner  to  the  public)  has  been  always 
had  in  the  greatest  reputation,  by  such  as  are  acquainted  with 
books,  and  have  any  discerning  in  works  of  merit  and  nature. 
Not  only  the  lovers  of  this  art,  but  all  *  others,  who  have  no 
inclinations  in  the  least  to  the  diversion  of  angling  that  it  treats 
of,  have  joined  in  giving  it  their  mutual  suffrage  and  commen- 
dation." 

In  the  year  1760  appeared  the  first  of  those  editions  edited 
by  Sir  John  Hawkins ;  from  whose  Life  of  Walton  prefixed,  we 
extract  the  following  encomium. 

**  And  let  no  man  imagine,  that  a  work  on  such  a  subject 
must,  necessarily,  be  unentertaining,  or  trifling,  or  even  un- 

*  On  the  appearance  of  my  first  edition,  in  1823,  Mr.  D'lsraeli  (who  some- 
where speaks  of  the  "Doric  sweetness  of  Izaak  Walton  ")  observed  to  me, 
*•  One  often  sees  a  pretty  book  which  is  interesting  to  2l. particular  class  ;  but 
you  have  hit  on  a  work  that  pleases  everybody  /  "  And  Mr.  Alexander  Chal- 
mers was  pleased  to  say,  that- 1  had  given  quite  a  new  tone  to  the  subject,  and 
had  "  Waltonized  the  land."  For  my  own  part,  I  can  only  say,  that  I  had 
long  been  asking  myself,  in  the  language  of  Abraham  Cowley,  "  What  shall 
I  do  to  be  forever  known?"  and  my  good  genius  whispered,  "Give  youi 
days  and  nights  to  emblazon  the  worth  of  Izaak  Walton." 


24  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

instructive ;  for  the  contrary  will  most  evidently  appear  from 
a  perusal  of  this  excellent  piece,  which,  whether  we  consider 
the  elegant  simplicity  of  the  style,  the  ease  and  unaffected 
humor  of  the  dialogue,  the  lovely  scenes  which  it  dehneates, 
the  enchanting  pastoral  poetry  which  it  contains,  or  the  fine 
morality  it  so  sweetly  inculcates,  has  hardly  its  fellow  in  any 
of  the  modern  languages. ' ' 

From  Walton's  latest*  and  most  copious  biographer,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Zouch,  an  equally  honorable  testimony  is 
selected. 

*'In  this  volume  of  the  Complete  Angler,  which  will  be 
always  read  with  avidity,  even  by  those  who  entertain  no 
strong  relish  for  the  art  which  it  professes  to.  teach,  we  discover 
a  copious  vein  of  innocent  pleasantry  and  good-humor.  The 
dialogue  is  diversified  with  all  the  characteristic  beauties  of 
colloquial  composition.  The  songs  and  little  poems  which  are 
occasionally  inserted  will  abundantly  gratify  the  reader  who 
has  a  taste  for  the  charms  of  pastoral  poetry.  And  above  all, 
those  lovely  lessons  of  religious  ^and  moral  instruction,  which 
are  so  repeatedly  inculcated  throughout  the  whole  work,  will 
ever  recommend  this  exquisitely  pleasing  performance. ' ' 

Yet  the  enthusiastic  admirer  of  Walton  will  be  still  more 
delighted  with  the  wonder-working  effects  of  his  book,  as  set 
forth  by  that  deservedly  popular  writer,  Mr.  Washington 
Irving ;  whose  applause,  being  that  of  a  man  of  acknowledged 
taste  and  brilliant  fancy,  bespeaks  its  own  peculiar  value  in 
pointing  out  our  author's  claims  upon  the  present  and  succeed- 
ing ages. 

From  "The  Sketch  Book"  of  this  gentleman,  published 
under  the  assumed  name  of  Geoffrey  Crayon,  we  extract  the 
following. 

*  Sir  Harris  Nicolas's  elaborate  and  circumstantial  Life  of  our  author — so 
far  as  it  was  possible  for  the  most  industrious  and  skilful  research  to  make  it 
so — has  appeared  since  the  above  was  written.  Sir  Harris  has  here  contin- 
ued for  Walton  all  that  has  been  done  in  the  way  of  literary  and  personal 
illustration  for  Shakespeare  himself  t 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  2$ 

**  It  is  said  that  many  an  unlucky  urchin  is  induced  to  run 
away  from  his  family,  and  betake  himself  to  a  seafaring  life, 
from  reading  the  history  of  Robinson  Crusoe  j  and  I  suspect 
that,  in  like  manner,  many  of  those  worthy  gentlemen,  who 
are  given  to  haunt  the  sides  of  pastoral  streams  with  angle-rods 
in  hand,  may  trace  the  origin  of  their  passion  to  the  seductive 
pages  of  honest  Izaak  Walton.  I  recollect  studying  his  '  Com- 
plete Angler '  several  years  since,  in  company  with  a  knot  of 
friends  in  America,  and  moreover  that  we  were  all  completely 
bitten  with  the  angling  mania.  It  was  early  in  the  year ;  but 
as  soon  as  the  weather  was  auspicious,  and  that  the  spring  be- 
gan to  melt  into  the  verge  of  summer,  we  took  rod  in  hand 
and  sallied  into  the  country,  as  stark  mad  as  was  ever  Don 
Quixote  from  reading  books  of  chivalry. 

^'  One  of  our  party  had  equalled  the  Don  in  the  fulness  of 
his  equipments,  being  attired  cap-a-pie  for  the  enterprise.  He 
wore  a  broad -skirted  fustian  coat,  perplexed  with  half  a  hundred 
pockets ;  a  pair  of  stout  shoes,  and  leathern  gaiters ;  a  basket 
slung  on  one  side  for  fish ;  a  patent  rod  ;  a  landing-net ;  and  a 
score  of  other  inconveniences,  only  to  be  found  in  the  true 
angler's  armory.  Thus  harnessed  for  the  field,  he  was  as  great 
a  matter  of  stare  and  wonderment  among  the  country-folk,  who 
had  never  seen  a  regular  angler,  as  was  the  steel-clad  hero  of 
La  Mancha  among  the  goatherds  of  Sierra  Morena. 

''  Our  first  essay  was  along  a  mountain  brook  among  the  high- 
lands of  the  Hudson  :  a  most  unfortunate  place  for  the  execu- 
tion of  those  piscatory  tactics  which  had  been  invented  along 
the  velvet  margins  of  quiet  English  rivulets. 

**  For  my  part,  I  was  always  a  bungler  at  all  kinds  of  sport 
that  required  either  patience  or  adroitness,  and  had  not  angled 
above  half  an  hour  before  I  had  completely  *  satisfied  the  senti- 
ment,' and  convinced  myself  of  the  truth  of  Izaak  Walton's 
opinion,  that  angling  is  something  like  poetry, — a  man  must 
be  born  to  it.  I  hooked  myself  instead  of  the  fish ;  tangled  my 
line  in  every  tree ;  lost  my  bait ;  broke  my  rod  ;  until  I  gave  up 


26  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

the  attempt  in  despair,  and  passed  the  day  under  the  trees,  read 
ing  old  Izaak ;  satisfied  that  it  was  his  fascinating  vein  of  hon- 
est simpHcity  and  rural  feeling  that  had  bewitched  me,  and  not 
the  passion  for  angling.     .     .     . 

"But  above  all,  I  recollect  the  'good,  honest,  wholesome, 
hungry  *  repast,  which  we  made  under  a  beech-tree,  just  by  a 
spring  of  pure  sweet  water  that  stole  out  of  the  side  of  a  hill ; 
and  how,  when  it  was  over  one  of  the  party  read  old  Izaak 
Walton's  scene  with  the  milkmaid,  while  I  lay  on  the  grass  and 
built  castles  in  a  bright  pile  of  clouds  until  I  fell  asleep. ' ' 

The  remainder  of  this  elegant  essay  Mr.  Irving  devotes  to  the 
character  of  an  old  Cheshire  angler ;  he  concludes :  "I  could 
not  refrain  from  drawing  the  picture  of  this  worthy  '  brother  of 
the  angle,'  who  has  made  me  more  than  ever  in  love  with  the 
theory,  though  I  fear  I  shall  never  be  adroit  in  the  practice  of 
his  art." 

This  is  precisely  the  treatment  of  our  author  which  agrees 
with  our  own  views ;  it  requires  not  so  much  the  love  of  angling, 
as  a  relish  for  the  general  charms  of  nature,  to  render  any  per- 
son of  true  taste  delighted  with  his  pages.  We  have  spared 
no  effort  to  insure  correct  delineations  of  the  FISH,*  (//le 
whole  having  been  painted  from  nature  expressly  for  this  edi- 
tion)^ which  will  add  to  the  character  of  the  work  as  connected 
with  a  popular  branch  of  natural  history,  and  truly  may  it  be 
said  (after  allowing  the  painter,  in  each  instance,  due  praise) 

that  the  '■^gravers'"  also 

"had  a  strife, 
With  nature  to  outdo  the  life  !  " 

The  important  and  classical  addition  of  the  specific  and 
generic  characters  will  speak  for  itself  to  proceed  from  a  most 
competent  quarter. 

The  notes,  consistently  with  our  view  of  the  work,  "in  its 
more  important  character  of  a  British  Classic,"   are  devoted 

!?•  The  list  of  engravings  will  show  that  some  entirely  new  specimens  of 
fishes,  by  artists  of  the  highest  rank,  are  introduced  in  this  edition. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  2f 

chiefly  to  the  ilkistration  of  its  Hterary  merits;  and  though  we 
should  deem  it  a  sort  of  profanation  to  place  them  on  the  same 
page  *  with  the  text,  we  have  most  zealously  endeavored  to 
render  them  worthy  of  a  distinct  perusal. 

The  frequent  occurrence  of  eminent  names  throughout  the 
work  naturally  leads  us  to  reflect  that  the  chief  argument  used 
by  Walton  in  recommending  his  art — the  "  love  ami  practice  " 
of  it  by  persons  of  science  and  learning — is  of  the  most  per- 
manent kind.  The  most  ardent  anglers  of  the  present  day  will 
be  found  in  the  higher  walks  of  genius  and  knowledge ;  a  host 
in  himself,  as  it  regards  our  purpose,  it  were  superfluous  to  covet 
authorities  in  addition  to  that  of  the,  now,  in  these  enlightened 
days,  illustrious  President  of  the  Royal  Society  !f 

Again,  for  the  honor  of  our  author,  let  us  not  forget  that  the 
brilliant  wit,  Richard  Brinsley  Sheridan,  is  known  to  have  de- 
clared that  he  never  desired  a  better  companion  for  post-chaise 
than  this  same  Angler,  or  Contemplative  Man's  Recreation. 

Far  indeed  from  singular  is  any  man  who  imagines  himself 
alone  to  have  carried  his  enthusiasm  for  our  author  to  exactly 
the  proper  pitch  !  It  seems  as  if  there  must  yet  exist  a  *  *  friendly 
contention  ' '  about  the  mode  of  expressing  it, — as  to  who  shall 

*  These  notes  having  been  much  praised  for  their  very  comprehensive  use- 
fulness, considering  the  limited  space,  it  is  only  due  to  the  kind  and  friendly 
contributor  (declining  to  be  named)  to  acknowledge  the  careful  revision  of 
them,  with  valuable  additions,  on  the  present  occasion  ;  and  also  to  thank  him 
for  a  re-collation  of  the  text  itself,  by  which  it  has  been  improved  throughout. 
The  bantling  is,  in  truth,  my  own,  but  its  sponsors  are  innumerable  ;  one  kind 
patron,  a  gentleman  of  fortune,  used  to  say  to  his  friends,  '*  You  musthave 
this  edition^  for  /  have  a  share  in  it !  "  and  a  total  stranger  once  assured  me 
that  he  had  bestowed  no  less  than  six  ^uineoi  on  the  binding  ol  the  work,  as 
a  specimen  of  the  skill  of  Charles  Lewis. 

f  Sir  Humphrey  Davy,  (alas  for  Chantrey  also  !)  since  de- 
ceased. The  annexed  engraving  is  from  a  seal  ring,  which 
this  ardent  angler,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  caused  to  be 
engraved  "with  a  //-<?«/ upon  it,"  and  left  to  his  friend,  W. 
Haseldine  Pepys,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  "not  as  a  mourning  ring,'* 
but  to  be  worn  "  in  memory  of  the  happy  days  they  had  passed  together  by 
the  river  side  /  "  This  was  quite  in  the  true  "  love-my-memory  "  spirit  of  our 
own  Izaak  himself. 


^8  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

be  loudest  in  his  praise,  who  honor  him  most  in  every  possible 
way ;  thus  he  is  daily  more  and  more  appreciated  as  an  honor 
to  the  English  character, — whilst  his  increasing  popularity  is 
doubtless  an  honor  to  the  English  people,  who  love  him  all  the 
more,  because  (though  far  from  devoid  of  art)  he  drew — like 
his  own  nightingale — all  his  graces  *'  from  beyond  its  reach." 
In  good  truth,  whoever  drinks  deep  of  the  true  spirit  of  our 
glorious  Izaak  will  be  at  a  loss  whether  most  to  admire  the 
extreme  clearness  of  his  head  or  the  extreme  goodness  of  his 
heart. 

To  a  theme  so  pleasing,  it  requires  much  resolution  to  fix 
the  necessary  bounds ;  if  space  were  allowed,  we  could  greatly 
swell  our  collection  of  laudatory  extracts,  even  from  popular 
authors  :  but  the  reader  must  now  be  relieved  by  the  perusal  of 
our  author's  Will, — a  composition  illustrating  equally  his  own 
benevolent  character  and  the  peculiar  nature  of  his  connec- 
tions. 

Auffust  the  ninth,  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty-three. 

5n  tt)e  Name  of  ®fOtl,  ^men.  I,  IZAAK  WALTON  the  elder,  of  Win- 
chester, being  this  present  day  in  the  ninetyeth  year  of  my  age,  and  in  per- 
fect memory,  for  which  praised  be  God,  but  considering  how  suddainly  I 
may  be  deprived  of  both,  do  therefore  make  this  my  last  Will  and  Tes- 
tament as  followeth  :  And  first,  I  do  declare  my  belief  to  be,  that  there  is 
only  one  God,  who  hath  made  the  whole  world,  and  me  and  all  mankind, 
to  whom  I  shall  give  an  account  of  all  my  actions,  which  are  not  to  be 
justified,  but  I  hope  pardoned,  for  the  merits  of  my  Saviour  Jesus  ;  and 
because  the  profession  of  Christianity  does,  at  this  time,  seem  to  be  sub- 
divided into  Papist  and  Protestante,  I  take  it,  at  least,  to  be  convenient  to 
declare  my  belief  to  be,  in  all  points  of  faith,  as  the  Church  of  England 
now  professeth  :  and  this  I  do  the  rather,  because  of  a  very  long  and  very 
true  friendship  with  some  of  the  Rojnan  church.  And  for  my  worldly  Estate 
(which  I  have  neither  got  by  falsehood,  or  flattery,  or  the  extreme  cruelty 
of  the  law  of  this  nation)  I  do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  it  as  followeth  : 
First,  I  give  my  son-in-law,  Doctor  Ha7vkins,  and  to  his  wife,  to  them  I 
give  all  my  title  and  right  of,  or  in  a  part  of,  a  house  and  shop  in  Pater- 
noster-row^ in  London,  which  I  hold  by  lease  from  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London  for  about  fifty  years  to  come.  And  I  do  also  give  to  them  all  my 
right  and  title  of  or  to  a  house  in  Chancery-lane^  London,  wherein  Mrs. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  29 

Greinwood  noyr  dwelleth,  in  which  is  now  about  sixteen  years  to  come  :  I 
give  these  two  leases  to  them,  they  saving  my  executor  from  all  damage 
concerning  the  same.  And  I  give  to  my  son,  Izaak,  all  my  right  and  title 
to  a  lease  of  Norington  Farme,  which  I  hold  from  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
Winton  ;  and  I  do  also  give  him  all  my  right  and  title  to  a  farm  or  land 
near  to  Stafford^  which  I  bought  of  Mr.  Walter  Noell ;  I  say,  I  give  it  to 
him  and  his  heirs  forever ;  but  upon  the  condition  following,  namely  :  if 
my  son  shall  not  marry  before  he  shall  be  of  the  age  of  forty  and  one  years, 
or,  being  married,  shall  dye  before  the  said  age,  and  leave  no  son  to  in- 
herit the  said  farme  or  land  ;  or  if  his  son  or  sons  shall  not  live  to  attain 
the  age  of  twenty  and  one  years,  to  dispose  otherways  of  it  ;  then  I  give 
the  said  farme  or  land  to  the  towne  or  corporation  of  Stafford,  in  which  I 
was  borne,  for  the  good  and  benefit  of  some  of  the  said  towne,  as  I  shall 
direct,  and  as  followeth  :  (but  first  note,  that  it  is  at  this  present  time 
rented  for  twenty-one  pound  ten  shillings  a  year,  and  is  like  to  hold  the 
said  rent,  if  care  be  taken  to  keep  the  barn  and  housing  in  repair ;)  and  I 
would  have,  and  do  give  ten  pound  of  the  said  rent,  to  bind  out,  yearly, 
two  boys,  the  sons  of  honest  and  poor  parents,  to  be  apprentices  to  some 
tradesmen  or  handicraft-men,  to  the  intent  the  said  boys  may  the  better 
afterward  get  their  own  living.  And  I  do  also  give  five  pound  yearly, 
out  of  the  said  rent,  to  be  given  to  some  maid-servant,  that  hath  attained 
the  age  of  twenty  and  one  year,  not  less,  and  dwelt  long  in  one  service,  or 
to  some  honest  poor  man's  daughter,  that  hath  attained  to  that  age,  to  be 
paid  her  at  or  on  the  day  of  her  marriage  :  and  this  being  done,  my  will 
is,  that  what  rent  shall  remain  of  the  said  farme  or  land  shall  be  disposed 
of  as  followeth  :  first  I  do  give  twenty  shillings  yearly,  to  be  spent  by  the 
Major  of  Stafford,  and  those  that  shall  collect  the  said  rent,  and  dispose 
of  it  as  I  have,  and  shall  hereafter  direct  ;  and  that  what  money  or  rent 
shall  remain  undisposed  of,  shall  be  employed  to  buy  coals  for  some  poor 
people,  that  shall  most  need  them,  in  the  said  towne  ;  the  said  coals  to  be 
delivered  the  first  weeke  in  January,  or  in  every  first  weeke  in  Febrw 
ary ;  I  say  then,  because  I  take  that  time  to  be  the  hardest  and  most 
pinching  times  with  poor  people  ;  and  God  reward  those  that  shall  do  this 
without  partialitie,  and  with  honesty,  and  a  good  conscience.  And  if  the 
said  Major  and  others  of  the  said  towne  of  Stafford,  shall  prove  so  negli- 
gent, or  dishonest,  as  not  to  imploy  the  rent  by  me  given  as  intended  and 
exprest  in  this  my  will,  which  God  forbid,  then  I  give  the  said  rents  and 
profits  of  the  said  farme  or  land  to  the  towne  and  chief  magistrates,  or  gov- 
ernors of  Ecleshall,  to  be  disposed  of  by  them  in  such  a  manner  as  I  have 
ordered  the  disposal  of  it  by  the  towne  of  Stafford,  the  said  farme  or  land 
being  near  the  towne  of  Ecleshall.  And  I  give  to  my  son-in-law,  Doctor 
Hawkins,  whom  I  love  as  my  own  son,  and  to  my  daughter,  his  wife,  and 


36  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

my  son  Izaak^  to  each  of  them  a  ring,  with  these  words  or  motto,  "  Lovl 
my  memory^  I.   IV.  obiit  "  to 

the  Lord  Bishop  of   Winton  a  ring,   with  this  motto,    'M   mite  for  a 
million,  I.  W.  obiit  " 

and  to  the  friends  hereafter  named,  I  give  to  each  of  them  a  ring,  with 
this  motto,  ^^A  friencT s  fareiuell,  1.   W.  obiit 

"  and  my  will  is,  the  said  rings  be  delivered 
within  forty  days  after  my  death  :  and  that  the  price  of  value  of  all  the 
said  rings  shall  be  thirteen  shillings  and  fourpence  a-piece.  I  give  to 
Doctor  flaxvkins  Doctor  Donne's  Sermons,  which  I  have  heard  preached, 
and  read  with  much  content.  To  my  son  Izaak,  I  give  Doctor  Sibbs  his 
Soul's  Conflict  ;  and  to  my  daughter  his  Bruised  Reed,  desiring  them  to 
read  them  so  as  to  be  well  acquainted  with  them.  And  I  also  give  unto 
her  all  my  books  at  Winchester  and  Droxford,  and  whatever  in  those  two 
places  are,  or  I  can  call  mine,  except  a  trunk  of  linnen,  which  I  give  to  my 
son  Izaak  ;  but  if  he  do  not  live  to  marry,  or  make  use  of  it,  then  I  give 
the  same  to  my  grand-daughter,  Ann  Hawkins  ;  and  I  give  my  daughter, 
Doctor  HalPs  Works,  which  be  now  at  Farnham.  To  my  son  Izaak,  I 
give  all  my  books,  not  yet  given  at  Farnham  Castell,  and  a  deske  of  prints 
and  pictures  ;  also  a  cabinett  near  my  bed's  head  ;  in  which  are  some 
little  things  that  he  will  value,  though  of  no  great  worth.*  And  my  will 
and  desire  is,  that  he  will  be  kind  to  his  aunt  Beachame,  and  his  aunt  Rose 
Ken,  by  allowing  the  first  about  fifty  shillings  a  year,  in  or  for  bacon  and 
cheese,  not  more,  and  paying  four  pounds  a-year  towards  the  boarding  of 
her  son's  dyet  to  Mr.  John  Whitehead  :  for  his  aunt  Ke7t,  I  desire  him  to 
be  kind  to  her,  according  to  her  necessity  and  his  own  abilitie,  and  I  com- 
mend one  of  her  children,  to  breed  up  as  I  have  said  I  intend  to  do,  if  he 
shall  be  able  to  do  it,  as  I  know  he  will  ;  for  they  be  good  folke.  I  give 
to  Mr.  John  Darby  shire  the  Sermons  of  Mr.  Anthony  Farringdon,  or  of 
Dr.  Sanderson,  which  my  executor  thinks  fit.  To  my  servant,  Thomas 
Edgill,  I  give  five  pound  in  money,  and  all  my  clothes,  linen  and  woollen, 
except  one  suit  of  clothes  :  which  I  give  to  Mr.  Holinshed,  and  forty  shil- 
lings, if  the  said  Thomas  be  my  servant  at  my  death  ;  if  not,  my  clothes 
only.  And  I  give  my  old  friend,  Mr.  Richard  Marriot,  ten  pounds  in 
money,  to  be  paid  him  within  three  months  after  my  death  ;  and  I  desire 
my  son  to  shew  kindness  to  him  if  he  shall  neede,  and  my  son  can  spare 
it :  and  I  do  hereby  will  and  declare  my  son  Izaak  to  be  my  sole  executor 

*  How  many  a  "  Grangerite  ''  must  have  felt  his  mouth  water  at  this  pas- 
sage, in  the  rational  idea  that  Walton's  good  taste  had  selected  in  this  small 
compass  so  many  Faithornes,  Elstrackes,  Lombarts,  St'c,  as  would  now  fetch 
five  hundred  guineas  under  the  hammer  of  Christie  and  Manson,  or  Lei^fh 
Sotheby  and  Wilkinson. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  31 

of  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  and  Dr.  Hawkins  to  see  that  he  per- 
forms it ;  which  I  doubt  not  but  he  will.  1  desire  my  burial  may  be  near 
the  place  of  my  death,  and  free  from  any  ostentation  or  charge,  but 
privately.  This  I  make  to  be  my  last  will,  to  which  I  shall  only  add  the 
codicil  for  rings,  this  sixteenth  day  of  August,  one  thousand  six  hundred 
eighty-three,  Jzaak  Walton.     Witness  to  this  will. 

Tlie  rings  I  give  are  as  on  the  other  side  :  to  my  brother  John  Ken,  to 
my  sister  his  wife,  to  my  brother,  Doctor  Ken,  to  my  sister  Pye,  to  Mr. 
Francis  Morley,  to  Mr.  George  Vernon,  to  his  wife,  to  his  three  daughters, 
to  Mistris  Nelson,  to  Mr.  Richard  Walton,  to  Mr.  Palmer,  to  Mr.  Taylor, 
to  Mr.  Thos.  Garrard,  to  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Sarum^  to  Mr.  Rede  his 
servant,  to  my  cozen  Dorothy  Kenrick,  to  my  cousin  Lewin,  to  Mr.  Walter 
■f^igg^i  to  Mr.  Charles  Cotton,  to  Mr.  Richard  Marryot :  22,  to  my 
brother  Beacham,  to  my  sister  his  wife,  to  the  Lady  Anne  How,  to  Mrs. 
King,  Doctor  Phillip's  wife,  to  Mr.  Valentine  Harecourt,  to  Mrs.  Eliza 
Johnson,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Rogers,  to  Mrs.  Eliza  Milward,  to  Mrs.  Dorothy 
Wollop,  to  Mr.  Will.  Milward,  of  Christ-Church  Oxford,  to  Mr.  John 
Darbyshire,  to  Mr.  Undevill,  to  Mrs.  Rock,  to  Mr.  Peter  White^  to  Mr. 
John  LloydCf  to  my  cousin  GreinselVs  widow,  Mrs.  Dalbin  must  not  be 
forgotten  :  i6,  Izaak  Walton.  Note,  that  several  lines  are  blotted  out  of 
this  will,  for  they  were  twice  repeated  :  and  that  this  will  is  now  signed 
and  sealed  this  twenty  and  fourth  day  of  October,  one  thousand  six  hun- 
dred eighty-three,  in  the  presence  of  us :  Witness,  Abraham  Markland^ 
Jos.  Taylor,  Thomas  Crawley. 

This  will  was  composed  by  him  but  a  few  months  before  his 
death,  which  took  place  on  the  15th  of  December,  1683,  at 
the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  Dr.  Hawkins,  a  Prebendary  of 
Winchester,  he  having  attained  the  great  age  of  ninety  years 
and  four  months.  In  the  Cathedral  of  the  same  place  is  a 
gravestone  to  his  memory,  but  with  such  *' uncouth  rhymes  " 
and  ''shapeless  sculpture"  as  but  coldly  to  invite  either  de- 
lineation or  transcription ;  but  in  this  respect  we  still  hope  to 
see  justice  done  him  :  certain  we  are  that  this  wonderful  man 
is  far  from  having  ''gathered  all  his  fame "  ; — the  bare  hint 
will  be  sufficient  to  those  that  love  "  virtue  and  angling."  * 

*  Soon  after  the  appearance  of  my  first  edition,  I  received  the  following 
from  Michael  Bland,  Esq.,  F.R.S.:— "The  Walton  and  Cotton  Club,  to 
which  I  am  the  Secretary,  adopting  the  idea  suggested  in  your  Introductory 
Essay,  have  resolved  to  institute  an  immediate  inquiry  into  the  condition  of 
the  iQ§ufficiei}t  monument  to  the  memory  of  Honest  laaak  ia  Wiocbcster 


32  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

In  the  foregoing  will,  as  in  everything  which  he  wrote,  will 
be  found  something  characteristic  of  the  man ;  the  subjoined 
genuine  little  scrap,  exhibiting  a  fac -simile  of  his  handwriting, 
will  be  new  even  to  the  Waltonian  reader. 

fan  i^^j^'Zli^mo^^ 

For  Do'.  C.  Bewmount. 

pray  S%  Accept  this  pore  presant,  by  the  as  meane  hand  that 
brings  it  from 

Y"^.  affec.  servant, 

Izaak  Walton.* 

Were  we  required  to  give  a  designation  to  Walton's  style  of 
writing,  we  should  say  that  naivete  is  his  perpetual  character- 
istic ;  and  that,  whether  he  be  humorous,  instructive,  or  affect- 
ing, we  have  to  acknowledge  a  degree  of  elegance  which  it 
were  hopeless  to  attain  and  impossible  not  to  admire. 

Cathedral,  with  the  view  of  taking  some  steps  towards  the  erection  of  a  me- 
morial more  worthy  of  the  man,  and  more  honorable  to  those  who  delight  in 
that  recreation  which  he  has  so  beautifully  portrayed."  Whatever  may  have 
hitherto  obstructed  the  above  expressed  intention,  I  still  feel  perfectly  satis- 
fied that  it  will  be  yet  carried  into  effect.  One  gentleman,  I  was  credibly  in- 
formed, offered  to  put  down  two  hundred  guineas  to  commence  the  work. 
But  let  a  one-guinea  subscription  be  set  on  foot  and  the  lovers  of  literature 
and  angling  will  carry  it  in  a  summer's  day  !  The  Dean  of  Winchester  I  un- 
.derstood  to  have  expressed  himself  delighted  that  an  honor  so  justly  due 
should  be  paid  to  him  as  the  "  Historian  of  the  Church  " 

*  Some  little  inscription  similar  to  the  foregoing  generally  accompanied 
those  copies  of  his  works  which  he  gave  to  his  friends  ;  when  they  have  oc- 
curred at  sales,  they  have  produced  several  guineas  above  the  value  of  the 
work  itself.  He  also  wrote  his  name  in  all  his  own  reading  books,  and  Sir  H. 
Nicolas  has  enumerated  about  twenty  thus  enriched,  now  preserved  in  th^ 
Cathedral  Library,  SaUgbury. 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  33 

The  commendatory  verses  prefixed  to  the  earher  editions  of 
the  Complete  Angler,  by  eminent  persons,  friends  of  the 
author,  were  omitted  for  the  first  time  by  the  Rev.  M.  Browne, 
as  not  even  then  (1759)  agreeing  with  ''the  poetical  taste  of 
the  times."  The  following  lines,  however,  signed  Rob.  Floud, 
seem,  equally  for  their  brevity  and  terseness,  to  deserve  their 
share  of  lasting  popularity. 

*  To  my  dear  Brother,  Mr.  Izaak  Walton,  on  his  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 
**  This  book  is  so  like  you,  and  you  like  it, 
For  harmless  mirth,  expression,  art,  and  wit, 
That  I  protest,  ingenuously,  't  is  true, 
I  love  this  mirth,  art,  wit,  the  book,  and  you." 

Thus  have  we  furnished  a  brief  history  of  the  effects  pro- 
duced by  this  matchless  work  upon  the  intelligent  part  of 
mankind,  from  its  first  appearance  to  the  present  time ;  and 
when  it  is  recollected  that  Walton  himself  was  the  first  to  set 
the  example  of  graphic  embellishment,  boasting  from  the  first 
of  the  ''excellent  picture  of  the  Trout'' ;  also  that  "  Young 
Master  Izaak  "  was  so  pleased  with  a  certain  portion  of  ^^  Peak 
Scenery''  "  as  to  draw  it"  (as  Cotton  tells  us,  Part  II.  Chap. 
VI.)  "in  landscape  in  black  and  white,  in  a  blank  book  I 
have  at  home,  as  he  has  done  several  prospects  of  my  house 
also,  which  I  keep  for  a  memorial  of  his  favor,  and  will  show 
you  when  we  come  up  to  dinner,"  thus  early  indicating  the 
propriety  of  topographical  illustration :  recollecting  all  this, 
(and  oh  !  what  would  we  not  give  even  for  a  sight  of  ' '  Young 
Master  Izaak' s  "  genuine  "  Sketch  Book"  ?)  surely  no  apology 
need  be  offered  for  attempting,  (as  expressed  in  our  original 
prospectus,)  "by  the  novelty  and  extent  of  the  embellishments 
introduced  in  this  edition,  to  heighten  to  the  utmost  the  pleasure 
of  perusal ;  to  the  Sportsman,  the  Naturalist,  the  lover  of  the 
Fine  Arts,  and  the  general  Reader,  to  Artists  and  lovers  of 
Art,  Poets  and  lovers  of  Poetry." 

In  conclusion,  we  are  proud  to  acknowledge  the  assistance 


34  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

and  approbation  *  received  throughout  the  progress  of  the 
work  from  numerous  persons  of  high  taste,  who  ' '  dehght  to 
honor"  the  memory  of  its  venerable  author  by  every  demon- 
stration of  regard ;  saying  constantly,  that  ''it  is  impossible  to 
do  too  much  for  honest  Izaak  Walton." 

With  honest  exultation  we  refer  to  the  List  of  Embellish- 
ments, which  exhibits  an  extraordinary  combination  of  taste  , 
and  talent :  such  patronage  and  such  assistance  we  would  fain 
hope  may  constitute  at  once  a  shelter  and  a  boast.  It  would 
be  unjust  not  to  observe  that  the  Printer,  as  well  as  every 
other  party  concerned,  has  executed  his  task  perfectly  con 
amore. 

The  work  is,  in  truth,  indebted  throughout  equally  to  pro- 
fessional zeal  and  amateur  co-operation ;  and  it  is  the  chief 
pride  of  my  life  to  have  pointed  so  successfully  to  that  halo 
which  must  ever  surround  "meek  Walton's  heavenly  mem- 

ory."t 

May  the  Rod  of  the  Critic  be  exchanged  for  that  of  the 
Fisher ;  and  endless  be  the  willing  captives  of  Walton's  im- 
perishable Line  ! 

JOHN   MAJOR. 

CHARTKRHOtrsE,  August  isi,  1844. 

•  Two  remarkable  instances  of  the  latter  from  private  letters,  being  very- 
short,  I  indulge  (with  many  apologies)  in  quoting, 

"  Such  publications  are  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver."— From  Wm. 
Hamper,  Esq. 

''  I  feel  quite  an  interest  in  whatever  you  are  doing,  you  do  everything  sc 
wf  11  "—From  the  Yen.  Archdeacon  Wrangham. 

+  Wordsworth. 


I 


10 

THE   RIGHT  WORSHIPFUL 

JOHN    OFFLEY,    ESQ. 

OK 

MADELY  MANOR,   IN  THE  COUNTY  OF  STAFFORD. 
My  most  Honored  Friend. 

Sir,— . 
I  HAVE  made  so  ill  use  of  your  former  favors,  as  by 
■^  them  to  be  encouraged  to  intreat  that  they  may  be  en- 
larged to  the  Patronage  and  Protection  of  this  Book :  and  I 
have  put  on  a  modest  confidence,  that  I  shall  not  be  denied, 
because  it  is  a  Discourse  of  Fish  and  Fishing,  which  you  know 
so  well,  and  both  love  and  practise  so  much. 

You  are  assured,  though  there  be  ignorant  men  of  another 
belief,  that  Angling  is  an  Art ;  and  you  know  that  Art  better 
than  others :  and  that  this  truth  is  demonstrated  by  the  fruits 
of  that  pleasant  labor  which  you  enjoy  when  you  purpose  to 
give  rest  to  your  mind,  and  divest  ypurself  of  your  more  seri- 
ous business,  aftd,  which  is  often,  dedicate  a  day  or  two  to 
this  recreation. 

At  which  time,  if  common  Anglers  should  attend  you,  and 
be  eyewitnesses  of  the  success,  not  of  your  fortune,  but  your 
skill,  it  would  doubtless  beget  in  them  an  emulation  to  be  like 
you,  and  that  emulation  might  beget  an  industrious  diligence 
to  be  so ;  but  I  know  it  is  not  attainable  by  common  capaci- 
ties. And  there  be  now  many  men  of  great  wisdom,  learning, 
and  experience,  which  love  and  practise  this  Art,  that  know  \ 
sipeak  the  truth. 


36  THE  EPISTLE  DEDICATORY. 

Sir, — This  pleasant  curiosity  of  Fish  and  Fishing,  of  which 
you  are  so  great  a  master,  has  been  thought  worthy  the  pens 
and  practices  of  divers  in  other  nations  that  have  been  reputed 
men  of  great  learning  and  wisdom ;  and  amongst  those  of  this 
nation,  I  remember  Sir  Henry  Wotton,  a  dear  lover  of  this 
Art,  has  told  me  that  his  intentions  were  to  write  a  Discourse 
of  the  Art,  and  in  praise  of  Angling.  And  doubtless  he  had 
done  so,  if  death  had  not  prevented  him ;  the  remembrance  of 
which  hath  often  made  me  sorry  :  for,  if  he  had  lived  to  do  it, 
then  the  unlearned  Angler  had  seen  some  better  Treatise  of 
this  Art,  a  Treatise  that  might  have  proved  worthy  his  perusal ; 
which,  though  some  have  undertaken,  I  could  never  yet  see  in 
EngHsh. 

But  mine  may  be  thought  as  weak,  and  as  unworthy  of  com- 
mon view :  and  I  do  here  freely  confess  that  I  should  rather 
excuse  myself,  than  censure  others,  my  own  discourse  being 
liable  to  so  many  exceptions ;  against  which,  you.  Sir,  might 
make  this  one, — that  it  can  contribute  nothing  to  your  knowl- 
edge. And,  lest  a  longer  Epistle  may  diminish  your  pleasure, 
I  shall  make  this  no  longer  than  to  add  this  following  truth. 
That  I  am  really.  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  Friend, 

And  most  humble  Servant, 

Iz.  Wa. 


TO  ALL 

READERS    OF    THIS    DISCOURSE, 

BUT   ESPECIALLY   TO 

THE    HONEST  ANGLER. 

I  THINK  fit  to  tell  thee  these  following  truths, — that  I  did  neither  un- 
dertake, nor  write,  nor  publish,  and  much  less  own,  this  Discourse 
to  please  myself  :  and  having  been  too  easily  drawn  to  do  all  to  please 
others,  as  I  proposed  not  the  gaining  of  credit  by  this  undertaking,  so  I 
would  not  willingly  lose  any  part  of  that  to  which  I  had  a  just  title  before 
I  begun  it ;  and  do  therefore  desire  and  hope,  if  I  deserve  not  commenda- 
tions, yet  I  may  obtain  pardon. 

And  though  this  Discourse  may  be  liable  to  some  exceptions,  yet  I  can- 
not doubt  but  that  most  Readers  may  receive  so  much  pleasure  or  profit  by 
it,  as  may  make  it  worthy  the  time  of  their  perusal,  if  they  be  not  too  grave 
or  too  busy  men.  And  this  is  all  the  confidence  that  I  can  put  on,  con- 
cerning the  merit  of  what  is  here  offered  to  their  consideration  and  censure  ; 
and  if  the  last  prove  too  severe,  as  I  have  a  liberty,  so  I  am  resolved  to  use 
it  and  neglect  all  sour  censures. 

And  I  wish  the  Reader  also  to  take  notice,  that  in  writing  of  it  I  have 
made  myself  a  recreation  of  a  recreation.  And  that  it  might  prove  so  to  him, 
and  not  read  dull  and  tediously,  I  have  in  several  places  mixed,  not  any 
scurrility,  but  some  innocent,  harmless  mirth  :  of  which,  if  thou  be  a  se- 
vere, sour-complexioned  man,  then  I  here  disallow  thee  to  be  a  competent 
judge ;  for  divines  say,  There  are  offences  given,  and  offences  not  given 
but  taken. 

And  I  am  the  willinger  to  justify  the  pleasant  part  of  it,  because,  though 
it  is  known  I  can  be  serious  at  seasonable  times,  yet  the  whole  Discourse 
is,  or  rather  was,  a  picture  of  my  own  disposition  ;  especially  in  such  days 
and  times  as  I  have  laid  aside  business,  and  gone  a-fishing  with  honest 
Nat.  and  R.  Roe :  but  they  are  gone,  and  with  them  most  of  my  pleasant 
hours,  even  as  a  shadow  that  passeth  away  and  returns  not. 

And  next  let  me  add  this,  that  he  that  likes  not  the  book  should  like  th« 


38  WALTON  TO  THE   READER. 

excellent  picture  of  the  Trout,  and  some  of  the  other  fish  ;  which  I  nay 
take  a  liberty  to  commend,  because  they  concern  not  myself. 

Next  let  me  tell  the  Reader,  that  in  that  which  is  the  more  useful  part 
of  this  Discourse,  that  is  to  say,  the  observations  of  the  nature,  and  breed- 
ing, and  seasons,  and  catching  of  fish,  I  am  not  so  simple  as  not  to  know 
that  a  captious  Reader  may  find  exceptions  against  something  said  of  some 
of  these  :  and  therefore  I  must  entreat  him  to  consider,  that  experience 
teaches  us  to  know  that  several  countries  alter  the  time,  and  I  think  almost 
the  manner,  of  fishes'  breeding,  but  doubtless  of  their  being  in  season  :  as 
may  appear  by  three  rivers  in  Monmouthshire,  namely,  Severn,  Wye,  and 
Usk ;  where  Camden  {Brit.,  fol.  633)  observes,  that  in  the  river  Wye, 
Salmon  are  in  season  from  September  to  April ;  and  we  are  certain  that  in 
Thames,  and  Trent,  and  in  most  other  rivers,  they  be  in  season  the  six 
hotter  months. 

Now  for  the  Art  of  Catching  Fish,  that  is  to  say,  how  to  make  a  man 
that  was  none  to  be  an  Angler  by  a  book  ;  he  that  undertakes  it  shall  un- 
dertake a  harder  task  than  Mr.  Hales,  a  most  valiant  and  excellent  fencer, 
who  in  a  printed  book,  called  "A  Private  School  of  Defence,"  undertook 
to  teach  that  art  or  science,  and  was  laughed  at  for  his  labor.  Not  but 
that  many  useful  things  might  be  learned  by  that  book,  but  he  was  laughed 
at,  because  that  art  was  not  to  be  taught  by  words,  but  practice  :  and  so 
must  Angling.  And  note  also,  that  in  this  Discourse  I  do  not  undertake 
to  say  all  that  is  known,  or  may  be  said  of  it,  but  I  undertake  to  acquaint 
the  Reader  with  many  things  that  are  not  usually  known  to  every  Angler  ; 
and  I  shall  leave  gleanings  and  observations  enough  to  be  made  out  of  the 
experience  of  all  that  love  and  practise  this  recreation,  to  which  I  shall 
encourage  them.  For  Angling  may  be  said  to  be  so  like  the  Mathematics 
that  it  can  never  be  fully  learned ;  at  least  not  so  fully  but  that  there 
will  still  be  more  new  experiments  left  for  the  trial  of  other  men  that  suc- 
ceed us. 

But  I  think  all  that  love  this  game  may  here  learn  something  that  may 
be  worth  their  money,  if  they  be  not  poor  and  needy  men  ;  and  in  case 
they  be,  I  then  wish  them  to  forbear  to  buy  it  :  for  I  write  not  to  get 
.noney,  but  for  pleasure,  and  this  Discourse  boasts  of  no  more  ;  for  I  hate 
to  promise  much  and  deceive  the  Reader. 

And  however  it  proves  to  him,  yet  I  am  sure  I  have  found  a  high  con- 
tent in  the  search  and  conference  of  what  is  here  offered  to  the  Reader's 
view  and  censure  ;  I  wish  him  as  much  in  the  perusal  of  it.  And  so  I 
might  here  take  my  leave  ;  but  will  stay  a  little  and  tell  him,  that  whereas 
it  is  said  by  many,  that,  in  fly-fishing  for  a  Trout,  the  Angler  must  observe 
his  twelve  several  flies  for  the  twelve  months  of  the  year  ;  I  say,  he  that 
(qUows  that  rule  shall  be  as  swe  to  catch  fish,  and  be  as  wise,  w  he  that 


WALTON  TO  THE  READER.  39 

makes  hay  by  the  fair  days  in  an  almanac,  and  no  surer  ;  for  those  very 
flies  that  used  to  appear  about  and  on  the  water  in  one  month  of  the  year, 
may  the  following  year  come  almost  a  month  sooner  or  later,  as  the  same 
year  proves  colder  or  hotter :  and  yet  in  the  following  Discourse  I  have 
set  down  the  twelve  flies  that  are  in  reputation  with  many  Anglers,  and 
they  may  serve  to  give  him  some  observations  concerning  them.  And 
he  may  note,  that  there  are  in  Wales  and  other  countries  peculiar  flies 
proper  to  the  particular  place  or  country ;  and  doubtless,  unless  a  man 
makes  a  fly  to  counterfeit  that  very  fly  in  that  place,  he  is  like  to  lose  his 
labor,  or  much  of  it :  but  for  the  generality,  three  or  four  flies  neat  and 
rightly  made,  and  not  too  big,  serve  for  a  Trout  in  most  rivers  all  the  sum- 
mer. And  for  winter  fly-fishing,  it  is  as  useful  as  an  almanac  out  of  date. 
And  of  these,  because  as  no  man  is  born  an  artist,  so  no  man  is  born  an 
Angler,  I  thought  fit  to  give  thee  this  notice. 

When  I  have  told  the  Reader,  that  in  this  fifth  impression  there  are 
many  enlargements,  gathered  both  by  my  own  observations  and  the  com- 
munication with  friends,  I  shall  stay  him  no  longer  than  to  wish  him  a 
rainy  evening  to  read  this  following  Discourse  ;  and  that,  if  he  be  an  honest 
Angler,  the  east  wind  may  never  blow  when  he  goes  a-fishing. 

I.  W. 


k. 


THE    FIRST    DAY. 

Chap.  I. — A  Conference  betwixt  an  Angler,  a  Hunter,  and  a 
Falconer,  each  commending  his  Recreation* 

PISCATORy   VENATOR,  AUCEPS, 

PiSCATOR. 

YOU  are  well  overtaken,  Gentlemen  :  a  good  morning  to  you 
both :  I  have  stretched  my  legs  up  Tottenham  Hill  to 
overtake  you,  hoping  your  business  may  occasion  you  towards 
Ware,  whither  I  am  going  this  fine,  fresh  May  morning. 

Venator.  Sir,  I,  for  my  part,  shall  almost  answer  your  hopes ; 
for  my  purpose  is  to  drink  my  morning's  draught  at  the 
Thatched  House  in  Hoddesden ;  and  I  think  not  to  rest  till  I 
come  thither,  where  I  have  appointed  a  friend  or  two  to  meet 
me :  but  for  this  gentleman  that  you  see  with  me,  I  know  not 
how  far  he  intends  his  journey ;  he  came  so  lately  into  my  com- 
pany, that  I  have  scarce  had  time  to  ask  him  the  question. 

AucEPS.  Sir,  I  shall,  by  your  favor,  bear  you  company  as 
far  as  Theobald's ;  and  there  leave  you,  for  then  I  turn  up  to  a 
friend's  house  who  mews  a  hawk  for  me,  which  I  now  long  to 
see. 

Ven.  Sir,  we  are  all  so  happy  as  to  have  a  fine,  fresh,  cool 
morning,  and  I  hope  we  shall  each  be  the  happier  in  the  others' 
company.  And,  Gentlemen,  that  I  may  not  lose  yours,  I  shall 
either  abate  or  amend  my  pace  to  enjoy  it;  knowing  that,  as 
the  Italians  say,  '^  Good  company  in  a  journey  makes  the  way 
to  seem  the  shorter." 

Aug.  It  may  do  so,  Sir,  with  the  help  of  good  discourse, 
which,  methinks,  we  may  promise  from  you  that  both  look  and 
speak  so  cheerfully ;  and,  for  my  part,  I  promise  you  as  an  in- 


42  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

vitation  to  it,  that  I  will  be  as  free  and  open-hearted  as  dis- 
cretion will  allow  me  to  be  with  strangers. 

Ven.  And,  Sir,  I  promise  the  like. 

Pisc.  I  am  right  glad  to  hear  your  answers :  and  in  confi. 
dence  you  speak  the  truth,  I  shall  put  on  a  boldness  to  ask  you. 
Sir,  whether  business  or  pleasure  caused  you  to  be  so  early  up, 
and  walk  so  fast ;  for  this  other  gentleman  hath  declared  he  is 
going  to  seek  a  hawk,  that  a  friend  mews  for  him. 

Ven.  Sir,  mine  is  a  mixture  of  both,  a  little  business  and 
more  pleasure :  for  I  intend  this  day  to  do  all  my  business,  and 
then  bestow  another  day  or  two  in  hunting  the  otter,  which  a 
friend,  that  I  go  to  meet,  tells  me  is  much  pleasanter  than  any 
other  chase  whatsoever ;  howsoever,  I  mean  to  try  it ;  for  to- 
morrow morning  we  shall  meet  a  pack  of  otter-dogs  of  noble 
Mr.  Sadler's,  upon  Amwell  Hill,  who  will  be  there  so  early, 
that  they  intend  to  prevent  the  sun  rising. 

Pisc.  Sir,  my  fortune  has  answered  my  desires ;  and  my  pur- 
pose is  to  bestow  a  day  or  two  in  helping  to  destroy  some  of 
those  villanous  vermin ;  for  I  hate  them  perfectly,  because  they 
love  fish  so  well,  or  rather,  because  they  destroy  so  much ;  in- 
deed, so  much,  that,  in  my  judgment,  all  men  that  keep  otter- 
dogs ought  to  have  pensions  from  the  King  to. encourage  them 
to  destroy  the  very  breed  of  those  base  otters,  they  do  so  much 
mischief. 

Ven.  But  what  say  you  to  the  foxes  of  the  nation  ?  Would 
not  you  as  willingly  have  them  destroyed  ?  for  doubtless  they 
do  as  much  mischief  as  otters  do. 

Pisc.  O  Sir,  if  they  do,  it  is  not  so  much  to  me  and  my  fra- 
ternity as  those  base  vermin  the  otters  do. 

Auc.  Why,  Sir,  I  pray,  of  what  fraternity  are  you,  that  you 
are  so  angry  with  the  poor  otters  ? 

Pisc.  I  am.  Sir,  a  Brother  of  the  Angle,  and  therefore  an 
enemy  to  the  otter  :  for  you  are  to  note  that  we  Anglers  all  love 
one  another,  and  therefore  do  I  hate  the  otter,  both  for  my  own 
and  their  sakes  who  are  of  my  brotherhood. 


Chap.  I.] 


THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


4S 


Ven.  And  I  am  a  lover  of  hounds ;  I  have  followed  many  a 
pack  of  dogs  many  a  mile,  and  heard  many  merry  huntsmen 
make  sport  and  scoff  at  Anglers. 

Auc.  And  I  profess  myself  a  Falconer,  and  have  heard  many 
grave,  serious  men  pity  them,  't  is  such  a  heavy,  contemptible, 
dull  recreation. 

Pisc.  You  know,  Gentlemen,  't  is  an  easy  thing  to  scoff  at 
any  art  or  recreation  :  a  little  wit,  mixed  with  ill-nature,  con- 
fidence, and  malice,  will  do  it ;  but  though  they  often  venture 
boldly,  yet  they  are  often  caught,  even  in  their  own  trap,  ac- 
cording to  that  of  Lucian,  the  father  of  the  family  of  scoffers. 


**  Lucian,  well  skilled  in  scoffing,  this  hath  writ ! 
Friend,  that's  your  folly  which  you  think  your  wit  t 
This  you  vent  oft,  void  both  of  wit  and  fear, 
Meaning  another,  when  yourself  you  jeer. " 

If  to  this  you  add  what  Solomon  says  of  scoffers,  that  *'  they 
are  an  abomination  to  mankind,"  (Prov.  xxiv.  9,)  let  him  that 
thinks  fit  scoff  on,  and  be  a  scoffer  still ;  but  I  account  them 
enemies  to  me,  and  to  all  that  love  virtue  and  Angling. 

And  for  you  that  have  heard  many  grave,  serious  men  pity 
Anglers,  let  me  tell  you.  Sir,  there  be  many  men  that  are  by 
others  taken  to  be  serious  and  grave  men,  which  we  contemn 
and  pity.  Men  that  are  taken  to  be  grave,  because  nature  hath 
made  them  of  a  sour  complexion,  money-getting  men,  men  that 
spend  all  their  time,  first  in  getting,  and  next  in  anxious  care 
to  keep  it ;  men  that  are  condemned  to  be  rich,  and  then  al- 
ways busy  or  discontented  :  for  these  poor-rich-men, ^we  Anglers 
pity  them  perfectly,  and  stand  in  no  need  to  borrow  their 
thoughts  to  think  ourselves  so  happy.  No,  no,  Sir,  we  enjoy  a 
contentedness  above  the  reach  of  such  dispositions,  and  as  the 
learned  and  ingenious  Montaigne  says  like  himself  freely, 
*'  When  my  cat  and  I  entertain  each  other  with  mutual  apish 
tricks,  as  playing  with  a  garter,  who  knows  but  that  I  make  my 
cat  more  sport  than  she  makes  me  ?     Shall  I  conclude  her  to  be 


44  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part!. 

simple,  that  has  her  time  to  begin  or  refuse  to  play  as  freely  as 
I  myself  have?  Nay,  who  knows  but  that  it  is  a  defect  of  my 
not  understanding  her  language  (for  doubtless  cats  talk  and 
reason  with  one  another)  that  we  agree  no  better  ?  And  who 
knows  but  that  she  pities  me  for  being  no  wiser  than  to  play 
with  her,  and  laughs  and  censures  my  folly  for  making  sport  for 
her,  when  we  two  play  together  ?  ' ' 

Thus  freely  speaks  Montaigne  concerning  cats,  and  I  hope  I 
may  take  as  great  a  liberty  to  blame  any  man,  and  laugh  at 
him  too,  let  him  be  never  so  grave,  that  hath  not  heard  what 
Anglers  can  say  in  the  justification  of  their  art  and  recreation  ; 
which  I  may  again  tell  you  is  so  full  of  pleasure,  that  we  need 
not  borrow  their  thoughts  to  think  ourselves  happy. 

Ven.  Sir,  you  have  almost  amazed  me  :  for  though  I  am  no 
scoffer,  yet  I  have,  I  pray  let  me  speak  it  without  offence, 
always  looked  upon  Anglers  as  more  patient  and  more  simple 
men  than  I  fear  I  shall  find  you  to  be. 

Pisc.  Sir,  I  hope  you  will  not  judge  my  earnestness  to  be 
impatience :  and  for  my  simplicity,  if  by  that  you  mean  a 
harmlessness,  or  that  simplicity  which  was  usually  found  in  the 
primitive  Christians,  who  were,  as  most  Anglers  are,  quiet 
men  and  followers  of  peace, — men  that  were  so  simply-wise  as 
not  to  sell  their  consciences  to  buy  riches,  and  with  them  vex- 
ation and  a  fear  to  die ;  if  you  mean  such  simple  men  as  lived 
in  those  times  when  there  were  fewer  lawyers,  when  men 
might  have  had  a  lordship  safely  conveyed  to  them  in  a  piece 
of  parchment  no  bigger  than  your  hand,  though  several  sheets 
will  not  do  it  safely  in  this  wiser  age, — I  say,  Sir,  if  you  take 
us  Anglers  to  be  such  simple  men  as  I  have  spoken  of,  then 
myself  and  those  of  my  profession  will  be  glad  to  be  so  under- 
stood :  but  if  by  simplicity  you  meant  to  express  a  general 
defect  in  those  that  profess  and  practise  the  excellent  art  of 
Angling,  I  hope  in  time  to  disabuse  you,  and  make  the  contrary 
appear  so  evidently,  that,  if  you  will  but  have  patience  to  hear 
me,  I  shall  remove  all  the  anticipations  that  discourse,  or  time, 


CHAP.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  45 

or  prejudice,  have  possessed  you  with  against  that  laudable  and 
ancient  art ;  for  I  know  it  is  worthy  the  knowledge  and  prac- 
tice of  a  wise  man. 

But,  Gentlemen,  though  I  be  able  to  do  this,  I  am  not  so 
unmannerly  as  to  engross  all  the  discourse  to  myself:  and,  there- 
fore, you  two  having  declared  yourselves,  the  one  to  be  a  lover 
of  Hawks,  the  other  of  Hounds,  I  shall  be  most  glad  to  hear 
what  you  can  say  in  the  commendation  of  that  recreation 
which  each  of  you  love  and  practise  ;  and  having  heard  what 
you  can  say,  I  shall  be  glad  to  exercise  your  attention  with 
what  I  can  say  concerning  my  own  recreation  and  art  of  An- 
ghng,  and  by  this  means  we  shall  make  the  way  to  seem  the 
shorter :  and  if  you  like  my  motion,  I  would  have  Mr.  Falconer 
to  begin. 

Aug.  Your  motion  is  consented  to  with  all  my  heart ;  and, 
to  testify  it,  I  will  begin  as  you  have  desired  me. 

And  first  for  the  element  that  I  use  to  trade  in,  which  is  the 
Air,  an  element  of  more  worth  than  weight,  an  element  that 
doubtless  exceeds  both  the  earth  and  water;  for  though  I 
sometimes  deal  in  both,  yet  the  air  is  most  properly  mine, — I 
and  my  Hawks  use  that  most,  and  it  yields  us  most  recreation. 
It  stops  not  the  high  soaring  of  my  noble,  generous  Falcon  :  in 
it  she  ascends  to  such  an  height,  as  the  dull  eyes  of  beasts  and 
fish  are  not  able  to  reach  to ;  their  bodies  are  too  gross  for  such 
high  elevations :  in  the  air  my  troops  of  Hawks  soar  up  on 
high,  and  when  they  are  lost  in  the  sight  of  men,  then  they 
attend  upon  and  converse  with  the  Gods ;  therefore  I  think  my 
Eagle  is  so  justly  styled  Jove' s  servant  in  ordinary :  and  that 
very  Falcon,  that  I  am  now  going  to  see,  deserves  no  meaner  a 
title,  for  she  usually  in  her  flight  endangers  herself,  like  the  son 
of  Daedalus,  to  have  her  wings  scorched  by  the  sun's  heat,  she 
flies  so  near  it,  but  her  mettle  makes  her  careless  of  danger ; 
for  she  then  heeds  nothing,  but  makes  her  nimble  pinions  cut 
the  fluid  air,  and  so  makes  her  high  way  over  the  steepest 
mountains  and  deepest  rivers,  and  in  h^  glorious  career  looks 


46  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

with  contempt  upon  those  high  steeples  and  magnificent  palaces 
which  we  adore  and  wonder  at ;  from  which  height  I  can  make 
her  to  descend  by  a  word  firom  my  mouth,  which  she  both 
knows  and  obeys,  to  accept  of  meat  from  my  hand,  to  own  me 
for  her  master,  to  go  home  with  me,  and  be  wilhng  the  next 
day  to  afford  me  the  like  recreation. 

And  more :  this  element  of  air  which  I  profess  to  trade  in, 
the  worth  of  it  is  such,  and  it  is  of  such  necessity,  that  no 
creature  whatsoever,  not  only  those  numerous  creatures  that 
feed  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  but  those  various  creatures  that 
have  their  dwelling  within  the  waters,  every  creature  that  hath 
life  in  its  nostrils  stands  in  need  of  my  element.  The  waters 
cannot  preserve  the  fish  without  air,  witness  the  not  breaking 
of  ice  in  an  extreme  frost :  the  reason  is,  for  that  if  the  in- 
spiring and  expiring  organ  of  any  animal  be  stopped,  it  sud- 
denly yields  to  nature,  and  dies.  Thus  necessary  is  air  to  the 
existence  both  of  fish  and  beasts,  nay,  even  to  man  himself; 
that  air,  or  breath  of  life  with  which  God  at  first  inspired  man- 
kind. Gen.  ii.  7,  he,  if  he  wants  it,  dies  presently,  becomes  a 
sad  object  to  all  that  loved  and  beheld  him,  and  in  an  instant 
turns  to  putrefaction. 

Nay,  more,  the  very  birds  of  the  air,  those  that  be  not 
Hawks,  are  both  so  many  and  so  useful  and  pleasant  to  man- 
kind, that  I  must  not  let  them  pass  without  some  observations : 
they  both  feed  and  refresh  him ;  feed  him  with  their  choice 
bodies,  and  refresh  him  with  their  heavenly  voices.  I  will  not 
undertake  to  mention  the  several  kinds  of  fowl  by  which  this  is 
done;  and  his  curious  palate  pleased  by  day,  and  which  with 
their  very  excrements  afford  him  a  soft  lodging  at  night. 
These  I  will  pass  by,  but  not  those  little  nimble  musicians  of 
the  air,  that  warble  forth  their  curious  ditties,  with  which  Nat- 
ure hath  furnished  them  to  the  shame  of  Art. 

As  first  the  Lark,  when  she  means  to  rejoice,  to  cheer  herself 
and  those  that  hear  her,  she  then  quits  the  earth  and  sings  as 
she  ascends  higher  into  the  air ;  and,  having  ended  her  heav- 


Chap.  1]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  47 

enly  employment,  grows  then  mute  and  sad  to  think  she  must 
descend  to  the  dull  earth,  which  she  would  not  touch  but  for 
necessity. 

How  do  the  Blackbird  and  Thrassel  with  their  melodious 
voices  bid  welcome  to  the  cheerful  spring,  and  in  their  fixed 
mouths  warble  forth  such  ditties  as  no  art  or  instrument  can 
reach  to  ! 

Nay,  the  smaller  birds  also  do  the  like  in  their  particular 
seasons,  as  namely  the  Laverock,  the  Titlark,  the  little  Linnet, 
and  the  honest  Robin,  that  loves  mankind  both  alive  and  dead. 

But  the  Nightingale,  another  of  my  airy  creatures,  breathes 
such  sweet  loud  music  out  of  her  little  instrumental  throat, 
that  it  might  make  mankind  to  think  miracles  are  not  ceased. 
He  that  at  midnight,  when  the  very  laborer  sleeps  securely, 
should  hear,  as  I  have  very  often,  the  clear  airs,  the  sweet  des- 
cants, the  natural  rising  and  falling,  the  doubling  and  re- 
doubling of  her  voice,  might  well  be  lifted  above  earth,  and 
say,  ''Lord,  what  music  hast  thou  provided  for  the  saints  in 
heaven,  when  thou  affordest  bad  men  such  music  on  earth  !  " 

And  this  makes  me  the  less  to  wonder  at  the  many  aviaries  in 
Italy,  or  at  the  great  charge  of  Varro  his  aviary,  the  ruins  of 
which  are  yet  to  be  seen  in  Rome,  and  is  still  so  famous  there, 
that  it  is  reckoned  for  one  of  those  notables  which  men  of 
foreign  nations  either  record,  or  lay  up  in  their  memories  when 
they  return  from  travel. 

This  for  the  birds  of  pleasure,  of  which  very  much  more 
might  be  said.  My  next  shall  be  of  birds  of  political  use ;  I 
think  't  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  Swallows  have  been  taught 
to  carry  letters  between  two  armies.  But  't  is  certain  that, 
when  the  Turks  besieged  Malta  or  Rhodes,  I  now  remember 
not  which  *t  was.  Pigeons  are  then  related  to  carry  and  recarry 
letters.  And  Mr.  G.  Sandys,  in  his  Travels,  relates  it  to  be 
done  betwixt  Aleppo  and  Babylon.  But  if  that  be  disbelieved, 
*t  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  the  Dove  was  sent  out  of  the  ark 
by  Noaii,  to  give  him  notice  of  land^  whei;.  to  hiiuall  appeared 


4$  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IPart  !. 

to  be  sea;  and  the  Dove  proved  a  faithful  and  comfortable 
messenger.  And  for  the  sacrifices  of  the  Law,  a  pair  of  Tur- 
tle-doves or  young  Pigeons  were  as  well  accepted  as  costly- 
bulls  and  rams.  And  when  God  would  feed  the  Prophet  Elijah, 
I  Kings  xvii.  4-6,  after  a  kind  of  miraculous  manner,  he  did 
it  by  Ravens,  who  brought  him  meat  morning  and  evening. 
Lastly,  the  Holy  Ghost,  when  he  descended  visibly  upon  our 
Saviour,  did  it  by  assuming  the  shape  of  a  Dove.  And,  to 
conclude  this  part  of  my  discourse,  pray  remember  these 
wonders  were  done  by  birds  of  the  air,  the  element  in  which 
they  and  I  take  so  much  pleasure. 

There  is  also  a  little  contemptible  winged  creature,  an  in- 
habitant of  my  aerial  element,  namely  the  laborious  Bee,  of 
whose  prudence,  policy,  and  regular  government  of  their  own 
commonwealth  I  might  say  much,  as  also  of  their  several  kinds, 
and  how  useful  their  honey  and  wax  are  both  for  meat  and 
medicines  to  mankind ;  but  I  will  leave  them  to  their  sweet 
labor,  without  the  least  disturbance,  believing  them  to  be  all 
very  busy  at  this  very  time  amongst  the  herbs  and  flowers  that 
we  see  Nature  puts  forth  this  May  morning. 

And  now  to  return  to  my  Hawks,  from  whom  I  have  made 
too  long  a  disgression ;  you  are  to  note,  that  they  are  usually 
distinguished  into  two  kinds ;  namely,  the  Long-winged  and 
the  Short-winged  Hawk ;  of  the  first  kind,  there  be  chiefly  in 
use  amongst  us  in  this  nation. 

The  Gerfalcon  and  Jerkin, 

The  Falcon  and  Tassel-gentle, 

The  Laner  and  Laneret, 

The  Bockerel  and  Bockeret, 

The  Saker  and  Sacaret, 

The  Merlin  and  Jack  Merlin, 

The  Hobby  and  Jack ; 

There  is  the  Stelletto  of  Spain, 

The  Blood-red  Rook  from  Turkey^ 

The  Waskjte  from  Virginia. 


Chap.  I.]  THE   COMPLETB  ANGLER.  49 

And  there  is  of  Short-winged  Hawks, 
The  Eagle  and  Iron, 
The  Goshawk  and  Tarcel, 
The  Sparhawk  and  Musket, 
The  French  Pye  of  two  sorts. 

These  are  reckoned  Hawks  of  note  and  worth,  but  we  hav« 
also  of  an  inferior  rank. 

The  Stanyel,  the  Ringtail, 

The  Raven,  the  Buzzard, 

The  Forked  Kite,  the  Bald  Buzzard, 

The  Hen-driver,  and  others  that  I  forbear  to  name. 

Gentlemen,  if  I  should  enlarge  my  discourse  to  the  observa- 
tion of  the  Eires,  the  Brancher,  the  Ramish  Hawk,  the  Hag- 
gard, and  the  two  sorts  of  Lentners,  and  then  treat  of  their 
several  ayries,  their  mewings,  rare  order  of  casting,  and  the 
renovation  of  their  feathers;  their  reclaiming,  dieting,  and 
then  come  to  their  rare  stories  of  practice ; — I  say,  if  I  should 
enter  into  these,  and  many  other  observations  that  I  could  make, 
it  would  be  much,  very  much  pleasure  to  me :  but  lest  I  should 
break  the  rules  of  civility  with  you,  by  taking  up  more  than 
the  proportion  of  time  allotted  to  me,  I  will  here  break  off, 
and  entreat  you,  Mr.  Venator,  to  say  what  you  are  able  in  the 
commendation  of  Hunting,  to  which  you  are  so  much  affected; 
and  if  time  will  serve,  I  will  beg  your  favor  for  a  further  en« 
largement  of  some  of  those  several  heads  of  which  I  have 
spoken.     But  no  more  at  present. 

Ven.  Well,  Sir,  and  I  will  now  take  my  turn,  and  will  first 
begin  with  a  commendation  of  the  Earth,  as  you  have  done 
most  excellently  of  the  Air ;  the  earth  being  that  element  upon 
which  I  drive  my  pleasant,  wholesome,  hungry  trade.  The 
earth  is  a  solid,  settled  element ;  an  element  most  universally 
beneficial  both  to  man  and  beast :  to  men  who  have  their  sev- 
eral recreations  upon  it,  as  horse-races,  hunting,  sweet  smells, 
pleasant  walk§ ;  the  earth  feeds  man,  and  all  those  several  beasts 


so  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  1. 

that  both  feed  him  and  afford  him  recreation.  What  pleasure 
doth  man  take  in  hunting  the  stately  Stag,  the  generous  Buck, 
the  Wild-Boar,  the  cunning  Otter,  the  crafty  Fox,  and  the  fear- 
ful Hare  !  And  if  I  may  descend  to  a  lower  game,  what  pleas- 
ure is  it  sometimes  with  gins  to  betray  the  very  vermin  of  the 
earth  !  as  namely,  the  Fitchet,  the  Fulimart,  the  Ferret,  the 
Polecat,  the  Mouldwarp,  and  the  like  creatures  that  live  upon 
the  face  and  within  the  bowels  of  the  earth  !  How  doth  the 
earth  bring  forth  herbs,  flowers,  and  fruits,  both  for  physic  and 
the  pleasure  of  mankind  !  and  above  all,  to  me  at  least,  the 
fruitful  vine,  of  which  when  I  drink  moderately  it  clears  my 
brain,  cheers  my  heart,  and  sharpens  my  wit.  How  could  Cleo- 
patra have  feasted  Mark  Antony  with  eight  wild-boars  roasted 
whole  at  one  supper,  and  other  meat  suitable,  if  the  earth  had 
not  been  a  bountiful  mother  ?  But  to  pass  by  the  mighty  Ele- 
phant, which  the  earth  breeds  and  nourisheth,  and  descend  to 
the  least  of  creatures,  how  doth  the  earth  afford  us  a  doctrinal 
example  in  the  little  Pismire,  who  in  the  summer  provides  and 
lays  up  her  winter  provision,  and  teaches  man  to  do  the  like ! 
The  earth  feeds  and  carries  those  horses  that  carry  us.  If  I 
would  be  prodigal  of  my  time  and  your  patience,  what  might 
not  I  say  in  commendations  of  the  earth  ?  that  puts  limits  to  the 
proud  and  raging  sea,  and  by  that  means  preserves  both  man 
and  beast  that  it  destroys  them  not,  as  we  see  it  daily  doth  those 
that  venture  upon  the  sea,  and  are  there  shipwrecked,  drowned, 
and  left  to  feed  haddocks ;  when  we  that  are  so  wise  as  to  keep 
ourselves  on  earth,  walk,  and  talk,  and  live,  and  eat,  and  drink, 
and  go  a  hunting :  of  which  recreation  I  will  say  a  little,  and 
then  leave  Mr.  Piscator  to  the  commendation  of  Angling. 

Hunting  is  a  game  for  Princes  and  noble  persons ;  it  hath 
been  highly  prized  in  all  ages ;  it  was  one  of  the  qualifications 
that  Xenophon  bestowed  on  his  Cyrus,  that  he  was  a  hunter  of 
wild  beasts.  Hunting  trains  up  the  younger  nobility  to  the  use 
of  inanly  exercises  in  their  riper  age.  What  more  manly  exer- 
cise than  hunting  th§  Wild-Boar,  the  Stag,  the  Bu(?k,  the  Fox^ 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  5 1 

or   the   Hare!     How  doth   it   preserve  health,   and  increase 
strength  and  activity  ! 

And  for  the  dogs  that  we  use,  who  can  commend  their  ex« 
cellency  to  that  height  which  they  deserve  ?  How  perfect  is 
the  Hound  at  smelhng,  who  never  leaves  or  forsakes  his  first 
scent,  but  follows  it  through  so  many  changes  and  varieties  of 
other  scents,  even  over  and  in  the  water,  and  into  the  earth ! 
What  music  doth  a  pack  of  dogs  then  make  to  any  man,  whose 
heart  and  ears  are  so  happy  as  to  be  set  to  the  tune  of  such  in- 
struments !  How  will  a  right  Greyhound  fix  his  eye  on  the 
best  Buck  in  a  herd,  single  him  out,  and  follow  him,  and  him 
only,  through  a  whole  herd  of  rascal  game,  and  still  know  and 
then  kill  him  !  For  my  Hounds,  I  know  the  language  of  them, 
and  they  know  the  language  and  meaning  of  one  another,  as 
perfectly  as  we  know  the  voices  of  those  with  whom  we  discourse 
daily. 

I  might  enlarge  myself  in  the  commendation  of  Hunting,  and 
of  the  noble  Hound  especially,  as  also  of  the  docibleness  of  dogs 
in  general ;  and  I  might  make  many  observations  of  land-creat** 
ures,  that  for  composition,  order,  figure,  and  constitution  ap- 
proach nearest  to  the  completeness  and  understanding  of  man ; 
especially  of  those  creatures  which  Moses  in  the  Law  permitted 
to  the  Jews,  Lev.  ix.  2-8,  which  have  cloven  hoofs  and  chew 
the  cud,  which  I  shall  forbear  to  name,  because  I  will  not  be  so 
uncivil  to  Mr.  Piscator  as  not  to  allow  him  a  time  for  the  com- 
mendation of  Angling,  which  he  calls  an  Art ;  but  doubtless  't 
is  an  easy  one  :  and,  Mr.  Auceps,  I  doubt  we  shall  hear  a  watery 
discourse  of  it,  but  I  hope  't  will  not  be  a  long  one. 

Auc.  And  I  hope  so  too,  though  I  fear  it  will. 

Pisc.  Gentlemen,  let  not  prejudice  prepossess  you.  I  con- 
fess my  discourse  is  like  to  prove  suitable  to  my  recreation,  calm 
and  quiet ;  we  seldom  take  the  name  of  God  into  our  mouths, 
but  it  is  either  to  praise  him  or  pray  to  him :  if  others  use  it 
vainly  in  the  midst  of  their  recreatioiw,  so  vainly  as  if  they 
meant  to  conjure,  I  must  tell  you  it  is  neither  our  fault  nor  our 


52  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  1. 

custom  ;  we  protest  against  it.  But  pray  remember,  I  accuse  no- 
body ;  for  as  I  would  not  make  '' a.  watery  discourse,"  so  I 
would  not  put  too  much  vinegar  into  it;  nor  would  I  raise  the 
reputation  of  my  own  art  by  the  diminution  or  ruin  of  another's. 
And  so  much  for  the  prologue  to  what  I  mean  to  say. 

And  now  for  the  Water,  the  element  that  I  trade  in.  The 
Water  is  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  creation,  the  element  upon 
which  the  Spirit  of  God  did  first  move.  Gen.  i.  2,  the  element 
which  God  commanded  to  bring  forth  living  creatures  abun- 
dantly ;  and  without  which,  those  that  inhabit  the  land,  even 
all  creatures  that  have  breath  in  their  nostrils,  must  suddenly 
return  to  putrefaction.  Moses,  the  great  lawgiver  and  chief 
philosopher,  skilled  in  all  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians,  who  was 
called  the  friend  of  God,  and  knew  the  mind  of  the  Almighty, 
names  this  element  the  first  in  the  creation ;  this  is  the  element 
upon  which  the  Spirit  of  God  did  first  move,  and  is  the  chief 
ingredient  in  the  creation :  many  philosophers  have  made  it  to 
comprehend  all  the  other  elements,  and  most  allow  it  the  chiefest 
in  the  mixtion  of  all  living  creatures. 

There  be  that  profess  to  believe  that  all  bodies  are  made  of 
water,  and  may  be  reduced  back  again  to  water  only ;  they  en- 
deavor to  demonstrate  it  thus : — 

Take  a  willow,  or  any  hke  speedy-growing  plant,  newly 
rooted  in  a  box  or  barrel  full  of  earth,  weigh  them  all  together 
exactly  when  the  trees  begin  to  grow,  and  then  weigh  all  to- 
gether after  the  tree  is  increased  from  its  first  rooting  to  weigh 
an  hundred  pound  weight  more  than  when  it  was  first  rooted 
and  weighed  ;  and  you  shall  find  this  augment  of  the  tree  to 
be  without  the  diminution  of  one  drachm  weight  of  the  earth. 
Hence  they  infer  this  increase  of  wood  to  be  from  water  of 
rain,  or  from  dew,  and  not  to  be  from  any  other  element.  And 
they  affirm,  they  can  reduce  this  wood  back  again  to  water; 
and  they  affirm,  also,  the  same  may  be  done  in  any  animal  or 
vegetable.  And  this  I  take  to  be  a  fair  testimony  of  the  ex- 
cellency of  my  element  of  Water. 


Chap.  I.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  53 

The  Water  is  more  productive  than  the  earth.  Nay,  the 
earth  hath  no  fruitfulness  without  showers  or  dews ;  for  all  the 
herbs  and  flowers  and  fruits  are  produced  and  thrive  by  the 
water ;  and  the  very  minerals  are  fed  by  streams  that  run  un- 
derground, whose  natural  course  carries  them  to  the  tops  of 
many  high  mountains,  as  we  see  by  several  springs  breaking 
forth  on  the  tops  of  the  highest  hills ;  and  this  is  also  witnessed 
by  the  daily  trial  and  testimony  of  several  miners. 

Nay,  the  increase  of  those  creatures  that  are  bred  and  fed  in 
the  water  are  not  only  more  and  more  miraculous,  but  more  ad- 
vantageous to  man,  not  only  for  the  lengthening  of  his  life,  but 
for  the  preventing  of  sickness;  for  'tis  observed  by  the  most 
learned  physicians,  that  the  casting  off  of  Lent  and  other  fish 
days, — which  hath  not  only  given  the  lie  to  so  many  learned, 
pious,  wise  founders  of  colleges,  for  which  we  should  be 
ashamed,-  —hath  doubtless  been  the  chief  cause  of  those  many 
putrid,  shaking,  intermitting  agues,  unto  which  this  nation  of 
ours  is  now  more  subject  than  those  wiser  countries  that  feed 
on  herbs,  salads,  and  plenty  of  fish ;  of  which  it  is  observed  in 
story,  that  the  greatest  part  of  the  world  now  do.  And  it  may 
be  fit  to  remember  that  Moses,  Lev.  xi.  9,  Deut.  xiv.  9,  ap- 
pointed fish  to  be  the  chief  diet  for  the  best  commonwealth 
that  ever  yet  was. 

And  it  is  observable,  not  only  that  there  are  fish, — as 
namely,  the  Whale,  three  times  as  big  as  the  mighty  Elephant, 
that  is  so  fierce  in  battle, — but  that  the  mightiest  feasts  have 
been  of  fish.  The  Romans  in  the  height  of  their  glory  have 
made  fish  the  mistress  of  all  their  entertainments ;  they  have 
had  music  to  usher  in  their  Sturgeons,  Lampreys,  and  Mullets, 
which  they  would  purchase  at  rates  rather  to  be  wondered  at 
than  believed.  He  that  shall  view  the  writings  of  Macrobius, 
or  Varro,  may  be  confirmed  and  informed  of  this,  and  of  the 
incredible  value  of  their  fish  and  fish-ponds. 

But,  Gentlemen,  I  have  almost  lost  myself,  which  I  confess 
I  may  easily  do  in  this  philosophical  discourse ;  I  met  with  mo5l 


54  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  CPart  I. 

of  it  very  lately,  and,  I  hope,  happily,  in  a  conference  with  a 
most  learned  physician.  Dr.  Wharton,  a  dear  friend,  that  loves 
both  me  and  my  art  of  Angling.  But  however,  I  will  wade  no 
deeper  in  these  mysterious  arguments,  but  pass  to  such  obser- 
vations as  I  can  manage  with  more  pleasure,  and  less  fear  of 
running  into  error.  But  I  must  not  yet  forsake  the  waters,  by 
whose  help  we  have  so  many  known  advantages. 

And  first,  to  pass  by  the  miraculous  cures  of  our  known 
baths,  how  advantageous  is  the  sea  for  our  daily  traffic,  with- 
out which  we  could  not  now  subsist  ?  How  does  it  not  only 
furnish  us  with  food  and  physic  for  the  bodies,  but  with  such 
observations  for  the  mind  as  ingenious  persons  would  not 
want ! 

How  ignorant  had  we  been  of  the  beauty  of  Florence,  of  the 
monuments,  urns,  and  rarities  that  yet  remain  in  and  near  unto 
old  and  new  Rome,  so  many  as  it  is  said  will  take  up  a  year's 
time  to  view,  and  afford  to  each  of  them  but  a  convenient  con- 
sideration ;  and  therefore  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  so 
learned  and  devout  a  father  as  St.  Jerome,  after  his  wish  to 
have  seen  Christ  in  the  flesh,  and  to  have  heard  St.  Paul 
preach,  makes  his  third  wish  to  have  seen  Rome  in  her  glory ; 
■and  that  glory  is  not  yet  all  lost,  for  what  pleasure  is  it  to  see 
the  monuments  of  Livy,  the  choicest  of  the  historians;  of 
Tully,  the  best  of  orators ;  and  to  see  the  bay-trees  that  now 
grow  out  of  the  very  tomb  of  Virgil !  These,  to  any  that  love 
(earning,  must  be  pleasing.  But  what  pleasure  is  it  to  a  de- 
vout Christian  to  see  there  the  humble  house  in  which  St.  Paul 
was  content  to  dwell,  and  to  view  the  many  rich  statues  that 
are  there  made  in  honor  of  his  memory  !  Nay,  to  see  the  very 
place  in  which  St.  Peter  and  he  lie  buried  together !  These 
are  in  and  near  to  Rome.  And  how  much  more  doth  it  please 
the  pious  curiosity  of  a  Christian,  to  see  that  place  on  which 
the  blessed  Saviour  of  the  world  was  pleased  to  humble  himself, 
and  to  take  our  nature  upon  him,  and  to  converse  with  men, 
■^-to  sec  Mount  Sion,  Jerusalem,  and  the  very  Sepulchre  of 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  55 

our  Lord  Jesus  !  How  may  it  beget  and  heighten  the  zeal  of  a 
Christian,  to  see  the  devotions  that  are  daily  paid  to  him  at 
that  place !  Gentlemen,  lest  1  forget  myself  I  will  stop  here, 
and  remember  you,  that,  but  for  my  element  of  Water,  the  in- 
habitants of  this  poor  island  must  remain  ignorant  that  such 
things  ever  were,  or  that  any  of  them  have  yet  a  being. 

Gentlemen,  I  might  both  enlarge  and  lose  myself  in  such 
like  arguments ;  I  might  tell  you  that  Almighty  God  is  said  to 
have  spoken  to  a  fish,  but  never  to  a  beast ;  that  he  hath  made 
a  Whale  a  ship  to  carry  and  set  his  prophet  Jonah  safe  on  the 
appointed  shore.  Of  these  I  might  speak,  but  I  must  in  man- 
ners break  off,  for  I  see  Theobald's  house.  I  cry  you  mercy 
for  being  so  long,  and  thank  you  for  your  patience. 

Aug.  Sir,  my  pardon  is  easily  granted  you  ;  I  except  against 
nothing  that  you  have  said  ;  nevertheless,  I  must  part  with  you 
at  this  park-wall,  for  which  I  am  very  sorry ;  but  I  assure  you, 
Mr.  Piscator,  I  now  part  with  you  full  of  good  thoughts,  not 
only  of  yourself,  but  your  recreation.  And  so,  Gentlemen, 
God  keep  you  both  ! 

Pisc.  Well,  now,  Mr.  Venator,  you  shall  neither  want  time 
nor  my  attention  to  hear  you  enlarge  your  discourse  concern- 
ing Hunting. 

Ven.  Not  I,  Sir ;  I  remember  you  said  that  Angling  itself 
was  of  great  antiquity,  and  a  perfect  art,  and  an  art  not  easily 
attained  to  ;  and  you  have  so  won  upon  me  in  your  former 
discourse,  that  I  am  very  desirous  to  hear  what  you  can  say 
further  concerning  those  particulars. 

Pisc.  Sir,  I  did  say  so,  and  I  doubt  not  but  if  you  and  I  did 
converse  together  but  a  few  hours,  to  leave  you  possessed  with 
the  same  high  and  happy  thoughts  that  now  possess  me  of  it ; 
not  only  of  the  antiquity  of  Angling,  but  that  it  deserves  com- 
mendations, and  that  it  is  an  art,  and  an  art  worthy  the  knowl- 
edge and  practice  of  a  wise  man. 

Ven.  Pray,  Sir,  speak  of  them  what  you  think  fit,  for  we 
have  yet  five  miles  to  the  Thatched  House,  during  which  walk 


56  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

I  dare  promise  you  my  patience  and  diligent  attention  shaii 
not  be  wanting.  And  if  you  shall  make  that  to  appear  which 
you  have  undertaken ;  first,  that  it  is  an  art,  and  an  art  worth 
the  learning,  I  shall  beg  that  I  may  attend  you  a  day  or  two 
a-fishing,  and  that  I  may  become  your  scholar,  and  be  in- 
structed in  the  art  itself  which  you  so  much  magnify. 

Pisc.  O  Sir,  doubt  not  but  that  Angling  is  an  art ;  is  it  not 
an  art  to  deceive  a  Trout  with  an  artificial  fly  ? — a  Trout  ! 
that  is  more  sharp-sighted  than  any  Hawk  you  have  named, 
and  more  watchful  and  timorous  than  your  high-mettled  Mer- 
lin is  bold  ?  and  yet  I  doubt  not  to  catch  a  brace  or  two  to- 
morrow, for  a  friend's  breakfast :  doubt  not  therefore,  Sir,  but 
that  Angling  is  an  art,  and  an  art  worth  your  learning :  the 
question  is  rather,  whether  you  be  capable  of  learning  it  ?  for 
Angling  is  somewhat  hke  Poetry,  men  are  to  be  born  so :  I 
mean  with  inclinations  to  it,  though  both  may  be  heightened 
by  discourse  and  practice ;  but  he  that  hopes  to  be  a  good  An- 
gler must  not  only  bring  an  inquiring,  searching,  observing 
wit,  but  he  must  bring  a  large  measure  of  hope  and  patience, 
and  a  love  and  propensity  to  the  art  itself;  but  having  once 
got  and  practised  it,  then  doubt  not  but  Angling  will  prove 
to  be  so  pleasant,  that  it  will  prove  to  be  like  virtue,  a  reward 
to  itself. 

Ven.'  Sir,  I  am  now  become  so  full  of  expectation,  that  i 
long  much  to  have  you  proceed ;  and  in  the  order  that  you 
propose. 

Pisc.  Then  first,  for  the  antiquity  of  Angling,  of  which  I 
shall  not  say  much,  but  only  this :  some  say  it  is  as  ancient  as 
Deucalion's  flood ;  others,  that  Belus,  who  was  the  first  in- 
ventor of  godly  and  virtuous  recreations,  was  the  first  inventor 
of  Angling ;  and  some  others  say,  for  former  times  have  had 
their  disquisitions  about  the  antiquity  of  it,  that  Seth,  one  Oi 
the  sons  of  Adam,  taught  it  to  his  sons,  and  that  by  them  it 
was  derived  to  posterity ;  others  say,  that  he  left  it  engraveh 
on  those  pillars  which  he  erected,  and  trusted  to  preserve  tnc 


Cmap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  $7 

knowledge  of  the  mathematics,  music,  and  the  rest  of  that  pre- 
cious knowledge,  and  those  useful  arts  which  by  God's  ap- 
pointment or  allowance  and  his  noble  industry  were  thereby 
preserved  from  perishing  in  Noah's  flood. 

These,  Sir,  have  been  the  opinions  of  several  men,  that  have 
possibly  endeavored  to  make  Angling  more  ancient  than  is 
needful,  or  may  well  be  warranted ;  but  for  my  part,  I  shall 
content  myself  in  telling  you,  that  Anghng  is  much  more 
ancient  than  the  incarnation  of  our  Saviour  ;  for  in  the  Prophet 
Amos  mention  is  made  of  fish-hqoks ;  and  in  the  Book  of  Job, 
which  was  long  before  the  days  of  Amos,  for  that  book  is  said 
to  be  writ  by  Moses,  mention  is  made  also  of  fish-hooks,  which 
must  imply  Anglers  in  those  times. 

But,  my  worthy  friend,  as  I  would  rather  prove  myself  a 
gentleman  by  being  learned  and  humble,  valiant  and  inoffen- 
sive, virtuous  and  communicable,  than  by  any  fond  ostenta- 
tion of  riches,  or,  wanting  those  virtues  myself,  boast  that  these 
were  in  my  ancestors, — and  yet  I  grant  that  where  a  noble  and 
ancient  descent  and  such  merits  meet  in  any  man,  it  is  a  double 
dignification  of  that  person  : — so  if  this  antiquity  of  Angling, 
which  for  my  part  I  have  not  forced,  shall,  like  an  ancient 
family,  be  either  an  honor  or  an  ornament  to  this  virtuous  art 
which  I  profess  to  love  and  practise,  I  shall  be  the  gladder 
that  I  made  an  accidental  mention  of  the  antiquity  of  it;  of 
which  I  shall  say  no  more,  but  proceed  to  that  just  commen- 
dation which  I  think  it  deserves. 

And  for  that  I  shall  tell  you,  that  in  ancient  times  a  debate 
hath  risen,  and  it  remains  yet  unresolved,  whether  the  happi- 
ness of  man  in  this  world  doth  consist  more  in  contemplation 
or  action. 

Concerning  which,  some  have  endeavored  to  maintain  their 
opinion  of  the  first,  by  saying,  that  the  nearer  we  mortals  come 
to  God  by  way  of  imitation,  the  more  happy  we  are.  And 
they  say,  that  God  en)©ys  himself  only  by  a  contemplation  of 
)tas  own  Infiniteness,  Eternity,  Power,  and  Goodness,  and  the 


$8  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  tPART  I. 

like.  And  upon  this  ground,  many  cloisteral  men  of  great 
learning  and  devotion  prefer  contemplation  before  action.  And 
many  of  the  fathers  seem  to  approve  this  opinion,  as  may  ap- 
pear in  their  commentaries  upon  the  words  of  our  Saviour  to 
Martha,  Luke  x.  41,  42. 

And,  on  the  contrary,  there  want  not  men  of  equal  authority 
and  credit,  that  prefer  action  to  be  the  more  excellent :  as 
namely,  experiments  in  physic,  and  the  application  of  it,  both 
for  the  ease  and  prolongation  of  man's  life ;  by  which  each 
man  is  enabled  to  act  and  do  ^ood  to  others,  either  to  serve  his 
country,  or  do  good  to  particular  persons :  and  they  say  also, 
that  action  is  doctrinal,  and  teaches  both  art  and  virtue,  and 
is  a  maintainer  of  humane  society ;  and  for  these,  and  other 
like  reasons,  to  be  preferred  before  contemplation. 

Concerning  which  two  opinions  I  shall  forbear  to  add  a  third 
by  declaring  my  own,  and  rest  myself  contented  in  telhng  you, 
my  very  worthy  friend,  that  both  these  meet  together,  and  do 
most  properly  belong  to  the  most  honest,  ingenuous,  quiet,  and 
harmless  art  of  Angling. 

And  first,  I  shall  tell  you  what  some  have  observed,  and  I 
have  found  it  to  be  a  real  truth,  that  the  very  sitting  by  the 
river's  side  is  not  only  the  quietest  and  fittest  place  for  contem- 
plation, but  will  invite  an  Angler  to  it ;  and  this  seems  to  be 
maintained  by  the  learned  Peter  Du  Moulin,  who,  in  his  dis- 
course of  the  Fulfilling  of  Prophecies,  observes,  that  when  God 
intended  to  reveal  any  future  events  or  high  notions  to  his 
prophets,  he  then  carried  them  either  to  the  deserts  or  the  sea- 
shore, that  having  so  separated  them  from  amidst  the  press  of 
people  and  business,  and  the  cares  of  the  world,  he  might  set- 
tle their  mind  in  a  quiet  repose,  and  th^re  make  them  fit  for 
revelation. 

And  this  seems  also  to  be  intimated  by  the  children  of  Israel, 
Psal.  137,  who,  having  in  a  sad  condition  banished  all  mirth 
and  music  from  their  pensive  hearts,  and  having  hung  up  their 
then  mute  harps  upon  the  willow-trees  growing  by  the  rivers 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  $9 

of  Babylon,  sat  down  upon  those  banks  bemoaning  the  ruins 
of  Sion,  and  contemplating  their  own  sad  condition. 

And  an  ingenious  Spaniard  says,  that  ^'rivers  and  the  in- 
habitants of  the  watery  element  were  made  for  wise  men  to 
contemplate,  and  fools  to  pass  by  without  consideration."  And 
though  I  will  not  rank  myself  in  the  number  of  the  first,  yet 
give  me  leave  to  free  myself  from  the  last,  by  offering  to  you  a 
short  contemplation,  first  of  rivers  and  then  of  fish ;  concern- 
ing which  I  doubt  not  but  to  give  you  many  observations  that 
will  appear  very  considerable :  I  am  sure  they  have  appeared 
so  to  me,  and  made  many  an  hour  pass  away  more  pleasantly, 
as  I  have  sat  quietly  on  a  flowery  bank  by  a  calm  river,  and 
contemplated  what  I  shall  now  relate  to  you. 

And  first  concerning  Rivers ;  there  be  so  many  wonders  re- 
ported and  written  of  them,  and  of  the  several  creatures  that  be 
bred  and  live  in  them,  and  those  by  authors  of  so  good  credit, 
that  we  need  not  to  deny  them  an  historical  faith. 

As  namely  of  a  river  in  Epirus,  that  puts  out  any  lighted 
torch,  and  kindles  any  torch  that  was  not  lighted.  Some 
waters  being  drank  cause  madness,  some  drunkenness,  and  some 
laughter  to  death.  The  river  Selarus  in  a  few  hours  turns  a 
rod  or  wand  to  stone ;  and  our  Camden  mentions  the  like  in 
England,  and  the  like  in  Lochmere  in  Ireland.  There  is  also  a 
river  in  Arabia,  of  which  all  the  sheep  that  drink  thereof  have 
their  wool  turned  into  a  vermilion  color.  And  one  of  no  less 
credit  than  Aristotle  tells  ns  of  a  merry  river,  the  river  Elusina, 
that  dances  at  the  noise  of  music,  for  with  music  it  bubbles, 
dances,  and  grows  sandy,  and  so  continues  till  the  music  ceases, 
but  then  it  presently  returns  to  its  wonted  calmness  and  clear- 
ness. And  Camden  tells  us  of  a  well  near  to  Kirby  in  West- 
moreland, that  ebbs  and  flows  several  times  every  day ;  and  he 
tells  us  of  a  river  in  Surrey,  it  is  called  Mole,  that  after  it  has 
run  several  miles,  being  opposed  by  hills,  finds  or  makes  itself 
a  way  under  ground,  and  breaks  out  again  so  far  off,  that  the 
inhabitants  thereabouts  boast,    as  the  Spaniards  do  of  their 


60  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

river  Anus,  that  they  feed  divers  flocks  of  sheep  upon  a  bridge. 
And  lastly,  for  I  would  not  tire  your  patience,  one  of  no  less 
authority  than  Josephus,  that  learned  Jew,  tells  us  of  a  river  in 
Judaea  that  runs  swiftly  all  the  six  days  of  the  week,  and  stands 
still  and  rests  all  their  Sabbath. 

But  I  will  lay  aside  my  discourse  of  rivers,  and  tell  you  some 
things  of  the  monsters,  or  fish,  call  them  what  you  will,  that 
they  breed  and  feed  in  them.  Pliny  the  philosopher  says,  in 
the  third  chapter  of  his  ninth  book,  that  in  the  Indian  Sea  the 
fish  called  the  Balsena,  or  Whirlpool,  is  so  long  and  broad  as 
to  take  up  more  in  length  and  breadth  than  two  acres  of  ground, 
and  of  other  fish  of  two  hundred  cubits  long ;  and  that  in  the  river 
Ganges,  there  be  Eels  of  thirty  foot  long.  He  says  there,  that 
these  monsters  appear  in  that  sea  only  when  the  tempestuous 
winds  oppose  the  torrents  of  waters  falling  from  the  rocks  into 
it,  and  so  turning  what  lay  at  the  bottom  to  be  seen  on  the 
water's  top.  And  he  says,  that  the  people  of  Cadara,  an  island 
near  this  place,  make  the  timber  for  their  houses  of  those  fish- 
bones. He  there  tells  us,  that  there  are  sometimes  a  thousand 
of  these  great  Eels  found  wrapped  or  interwoven  together.  He 
tells  us  there,  that  it  appears  that  Dolphins  love  music,  and  will 
come,  when  called  for,  by  some  men  or  boys,  that  know  and 
use  to  feed  them,  and  that  they  can  swim  as  swift  as  an  arrow 
can  be  shot  out  of  a  bow  ;  and  much  of  this  is  spoken  concern- 
ing the  Dolphin,  and  other  fish,  as  may  be  found  also  in 
learned  Dr.  Casaubon's  discourse  ''Of  Credulity  and  Incredu- 
lity," printed  by  him  about  the  year  1670. 

I  know  we  islanders  are  averse  to  the  belief  of  these  wonders; 
but  there  be  so  -many  strange  creatures  to  be  now  seen,  many 
collected  by  John  Tradescant,  and  others  added  by  my  friend 
Elias  Ashmole,  Esq.,  who  now  keeps  them  carefully  and  me- 
thodically at  his  house  near  to  Lambeth  near  London,  as  may 
get  some  belief  of  some  of  the  other  wonders  I  mentioned.  I 
will  tell  you  some  of  the  wonders  that  you  may  now  see,  and 
not  till  then  beheve,  unless  you  think  fit. 


Chap.  I]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  6l 

You  may  there  see  the  Hog-fish,  the  Dog-fish,  the  Dolphin, 
the  Coney-fish,  the  Parrot-fish,  the  Shark,  the  Poison-fish 
Sword-fish,  and  not  only  other  incredible  fish,  but  you  may 
there  see  the  Salamander,  several  sorts  of  Barnacles,  of  Solan 
geese,  the  Bird  of  Paradise,  such  sorts  of  Snakes,  and  such 
birds' -nests,  and  of  so  various  forms,  and  so  wonderfully  made, 
as  may  beget  wonder  and  amusement  in  any  beholder :  and  so 
many  hundred  of  other  rarities  in  that  collection,  as  will  make 
the  other  wonders  I  spake  of  the  less  incredible ;  for  you  may 
note,  that  the  waters  are  Nature's  storehouse,  in  which  she  locks 
up  her  wonders. 

But,  Sir,  lest  this  discourse  may  seem  tedious,  I  shall  give  it 
a  sweet  conclusion  out  of  that  holy  poet,  Mr.  George  Herbert, 
his  divine  ^'  Contemplation  on  God's  Providence." 

"  Lord  !  who  hath  praise  enough  ?     Nay,  who  hath  any? 
None  can  express  thy  works  but  he  that  knows  them  ; 
And  none  can  know  thy  works  they  are  so  many 
And  so  complete,  but  only  he  that  owes  them  ! 

**  We  all  acknowledge  both  thy  power  and  love 
To  be  exact,  transcendent,  and  divine  ; 
Who  dost  so  strongly  and  so  sweetly  move, 
Whilst  all  things  have  their  end,  yet  none  but  thine, 

*  •  Wherefore,  most  sacred  Spirit,  I  here  present 
For  me,  and  all  my  fellows,  praise  to  thee ; 
And  just  it  is  that  I  should  pay  the  rent. 
Because  the  benefit  accrues  to  me." 

And  as  concerning  fish  in  that  Psalm,  Psal.  104,  wherein  for 
height  of  poetry  and  wonders  the  prophet  David  seems  even  to 
exceed  himself,  how  doth  he  there  express  himself  in  choice 
metaphors,  even  to  the  amazement  of  a  contemplative  reader, 
concerning  the  sea,  the  rivers,  and  the  fish  therein  contained  ! 
And  the  great  naturalist,  Pliny,  says,  ''  That  Nature's  great 
and  wonderful  power  is  more  demonstrated  in  the  sea  than  on 
the  land."     And  this  may  appear  by  the  numerous  and  various 


62  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

creatures  inhabiting  both  in  and  about  that  element ;  as  to  the 
readers  of  Gesner,  Rondeletius,  Pliny,  Ausonius,  Aristotle,  and 
others,  may  be  demonstrated.  But  I  will  sweeten  this  discourse 
also  out  of  a  contemplation  in  divine  Du  Bartas,  who  says : — 

'•  God  quickened  in  the  sea  and  in  the  rivers 
So  many  fishes' of  so  many  features, 
That  in  the  waters  we  may  see  all  creatures, 
Ev'n  all  that  on  the  earth  are  to  he  found, 
As  if  the  world  were  in  deep  waters  drowned. 
For  Seas,  as  well  as  Skies,  have  Sun,  Moon,  Stars ; 
As  well  as  Air — Swallows,  Rooks,  and  Stares  ; 
As  well  as  Earth — Vines,  Roses,  Nettles,  Melons, 
Mushrooms,  Pinks,  Gilliflowers,  and  many  millions 
Of  other  plants,  more  rare,  more  strange  than  these, 
As  very  fishes  living  in  the  seas  : 
As  also  Rams,  Calves,  Horses,  Hares,  and  Hogs, 
Wolves,  Urchins,  Lions,  Elephants,  and  Dogs  ; 
Yea,  Men  and  Maids,  and,  which  I  most  admire. 
The  mitred  Bishop,  and  the  cowled  Friar  : 
Of  which  examples  but  a  few  years  since 
Were  shown  the  Norway  and  Polonian  Prince." 

These  seem  to  be  wonders,  but  have  had  so  many  confirma- 
tions from  men  of  learning  and  credit,  that  you  need  not  doubt 
them :  nor  are  the  number  nor  the  various  shapes  of  fishes 
more  strange  or  more  fit  for  contemplation,  than  their  different 
natures,  inclinations,  and  actions ;  concerning  which  I  shall 
beg  your  patient  ear  a  little  longer. 

The  Cuttle-fish  will  cast  a  long  gut  out  of  her  throat,  which, 
like  as  an  Angler  doth  his  line,  she  sendeth  forth  and  pulleth 
in  again  at  her  pleasure,  according  as  she  sees  some  little  fish 
come  near  to  her ;  and  the  Cuttle-fish,  being  then  hid  in  the 
gravel,  lets  the  smaller  fish  nibble  and  bite  the  end  of  it,  at 
which  time  she  by  httle  and  little  draws  the  smaller  fish  so  near 
to  her,  that  she  may  leap  upon  her,  and  then  catches  and  de- 
vours her :  and  for  this  reason  some  have  called  this  fish  the 
Sea- Angler. 


Chap.  I.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  63 

And  there  is  a  fish  called  a  Hermit,  that  at  a  certain  age  gets 
into  a  dead  fish's  shell,  and  like  a  hermit  dwells  there  alone, 
studying  the  wind  and  weather,  and  so  turns  her  shell  that  she 
makes  it  defend  her  from  the  injuries  that  they  would  bring 
upon  her. 

There  is  also  a  fish  called,  by  ^lian,  in  his  ninth  Book  of 
Living  Creatures,  Ch.  16,  the  Adonis,  or  Darling  of  the  Sea; 
so  called  because  it  is  a  loving  and  innocent  fish,  a  fish  that 
hurts  nothing  that  hath  life,  and  is  at  peace  with  all  the  numer- 
ous inhabitants  of  that  vast  watery  element :  and  truly  I  think 
most  Anglers  are  so  disposed  to  most  of  mankind. 

And  there  are  also  lustful  and  chaste  fishes,  of  which  I  shall 
give  you  examples. 

And  first,  what  Du  Bartas  says  of  a  fish  called  the  Sargus  : 
which  because  none  can  express  it  better  than  he  does,  I  shall 
give  you  in  his  own  words ;  supposing  it  shall  not  have  the 
less  credit  for  being  verse,  for  he  hath  gathered  this  and  other 
observations  out  of  authors  that  have  been  great  and  industri- 
ous searchers  into  the  secrets  of  Nature. 

**  The  adult' rous  Sargus  doth  not  only  change 
Wives  every  day  in  the  deep  streams,  but,  strange  I 
As  if  the  honey  of  sea-love  delight 
Could  not  suffice  his  raging  appetite, 
Goes  courting  she-goats  on  the  grassy  shore, 
Horning  their  husbands  that  had  horns  before." 

And  the  same  author  writes  concerning  the  Cantharus,  that 
which  you  shall  also  hear  in  his  own  words : — 

**  But  contrary,  the  constant  Cantharus 
Is  ever  constant  to  his  faithful  spouse  ; 
In  nuptial  duties  spending  his  chaste  life, 
Never  loves  any  but  his  own  dear  wife." 

Sir,  but  a  little  longer,  and  I  have  done. 
Ven.  Sir,  take  what  liberty  you  think  fit,  for  your  discourse 
seems  -to  be  music,  and  charms  me  to  an  attention, 


64  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  1 

Pisc.  Why  then,  Sir,  I  will  take  a  little  liberty  to  tell,  or 
rather  to  remember  you,  what  is  said  of  Turtle- Doves ;  first, 
that  they  silently  plight  their  troth  and  marry ;  and  that  then 
the  survivor  scorns,  as  the  Thracian  women  are  said  to  do,  to 
outlive  his  or  her  mate,  and  this  is  taken  for  a  truth,  and  if  the 
survivor  shall  ever  couple  with  another,  then  not  only  the  living 
but  the  dead,  be  it  either  the  he  or  the  she,  is  denied  the  name 
and  honor  of  a  true  Turtle-Dove. 

And  to  parallel  this  land-rarity,  and  teach  mankind  moral 
faithfulness,  and  to  condemn  those  that  talk  of  religion,  and  yet 
come  short  of  the  moral  faith  of  fish  and  fowl ;  men  that  vio- 
late the  law  affirmed  by  St.  Paul,  Rom.  ii.  14,  15,  1 6,  to  be 
writ  in  their  hearts,  and  which,  he  says,  shall  at  the  last  day 
condemn  and  leave  them  without  excuse ; — I  pray  hearken  to 
what  Du  Bartas  sings,  for  the  hearing  of  such  conjugal  faith- 
fulness will  be  music  to  all  chaste  ears,  and  therefore  I  pray 
hearken  to  what  Du  Bartas  sings  of  the  Mullet. 

*'  But  for  chaste  love  the  Mullet  hath  no  peer  ; 
For,  if  the  fisher  hath  surprised  her  pheer, 
As  mad  with  woe,  to  shore  she  followeth, 
Prest  to  consort  him  both  in  life  and  death." 

On  the  contrary,  what  shall  I  say  of  the  House-Cock,  which 
treads  any  hen ;  and  then,  contrary  to  the  Swan,  the  Partridge, 
and  Pigeon,  takes  no  care  to  hatch,  to  feed,  or  to  cherish  his 
own  brood,  but  is  senseless,  though  they  perish. 

And  't  is  considerable,  that  the  Hen,  which,  because  she  also 
takes  any  Cock,  expects  it  not,  who  is  sure  the  chickens  be  her 
own,  hath  by  a  moral  impression  her  care  and  affection  to  her 
own  brood  more  than  doubled,  even  to  such  a  height,  that  our 
Saviour,  in  expressing  his  love  to  Jerusalem,  Matt,  xxiii.  37, 
quotes  her  for  an  example  of  tender  affection ;  as  his  father  had 
done  Job  for  a  pattern  of  patience. 

And  to  parallel  this  Cock,  there  be  divers  fishes  that  cast 
their  spawn  s>n  fla^s  or  stones,  and  then  leave  it  uncovered, 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  '6$ 

and  exposed  to  become  a  prey,  and  be  devoured  by  vermin,  or 
other  fishes ;  but  other  fishes,  as  namely  the  Barbel,  take  such 
care  for  the  preservation  of  their  seed,  that,  unlike  to  the  Cock 
or  the  Cuckoo,  they  mutually  labor,  both  the  spawner  and  the 
melter,  to  cover  their  spawn  with  sand,  or  watch  it,  or  hide  it 
in  some  secret  place,  unfrequented  by  vermin  or  by  any  fish 
but  themselves. 

Sir,  these  examples  may,  to  you  and  others,  seem  strange ; 
but  they  are  testified,  some  by  Aristotle,  some  by  Pliny,  some 
by  Gesner,  and  by  many  others  of  credit,  and  are  believed 
and  known  by  divers,  both  of  wisdom  and  experience,  to  be 
a  truth ;  and  indeed  are,  as  I  said  at  the  beginning,  fit  for  the 
contemplation  of  a  most  serious  and  a  most  pious  man.  And, 
doubtless,  this  made  the  Prophet  David  say,  Psal.  cvii.  23, 
24,  ^'They  that  occupy  themselves  in  deep  waters  see  the 
wonderful  works  of  God  ' '  :  indeed,  such  wonders  and  pleasures 
too  as  the  land  affords  not. 

And  that  they  be  fit  for  the  contemplation  of  the  most  pru- 
dent, and  pious,  and  peaceable  men,  seems  to  be  testified  by 
the  practice  of  so  many  devout  and  contemplative  men,  as  the 
Patriarchs  and  Prophets  of  old,  and  of  the  Apostles  of  our 
Saviour  in  our  latter  times  ;  of  which  twelve,  we  are  sure  he 
chose  four  that  were  simple  Fishermen,  whom  he  inspired  and 
sent  to  publish  his  blessed  will  to  the  Gentiles,  and  inspired 
them  also  with  a  power  to  speak  all  languages,  and  by  their 
powerful  eloquence  to  beget  faith  in  the  unbelieving  Jews,  and 
themselves  to  suffer  for  that  Saviour  whom  their  forefathers  and 
they  had  crucified ;  and,  in  their  sufferings,  to  preach  freedom 
from  the  incumbrances  of  the  law,  and  a  new  way  to  everlast- 
ing life.  This  was  the  employment  of  these  happy  Fishermen, 
concerning  which  choice  some  have  made  these  observations. 

First,  that  he  never  reproved  these  for  their  employment  or 
calling,  as  he  did  scribes  and  the  money-changers.  And  sec- 
ondly, he  found  that  the  hearts  of  such  men  by  nature  were 
fitted  for  contemplation  and  quietness ;  men  of  mild,  and  sweet, 


66  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

and  peaceable  spirits,  as  indeed  most  Anglers  are :  these  men, 
our  blessed  Saviour,  who  is  observed  to  love  to  plant  grace  in 
good  natures,  though  indeed  nothing  be  too  hard  for  him,  yet 
these  men  he  chose  to  cstW  from  their  irreprovable  employment 
of  fishing,  and  gave  them  grace  to  be  his  disciples,  and  to  follow 
him  and  do  wonders ;  I  say  four  of  twelve. 

And  it  is  observable,  that  it  was  our  Saviour's  will,  that 
these  our  four  Fishermen  should  have  a  priority  of  nomination 
in  the  catalogue  of  his  Twelve  Apostles,  Matt.  x.  2-4,  Acta  i 
13,  as  namely,  first  St.  Peter,  St.  Andrew,  St.  James,  and  St. 
John,  and  then  the  rest  in  their  order. 

And  it  is  yet  more  observable,  that  when  our  blessed  Saviour 
went  up  into  the  mount,  when  he  left  the  rest  of  his  disciples 
and  chose  only  three  to  bear  h^m  company  at  his  Transfigura- 
tion, that  those  three  were  all  Fishermen.  And  it  is  to  be 
believed,  that  all  the  other  Apostles,  after  they  betook  them- 
selves to  follow  Christ,  betook  themselves  to  be  Fishermfm  too ; 
for  it  is  certain  that  the  greater  number  of  them  were  found 
together  fishing  by  Jesus  after  his  Resurrection,  as  it  is  recorded 
in  the  twenty-first  chapter  of  St.  John's  Gospel,  v.  3,  4. 

And  since  I  have  your  promise  to  hear  me  with  patience,  I 
will  take  a  liberty  to  look  back  upon  an  observation  that  hath 
been  made  by  an  ingenious  and  learned  man ;  who  observes, 
that  God  hath  been  pleased  to  allow  those  whom  he  himself 
hath  appointed  to  write  his  holy  will  in  Holy  Writ,  yet,  to  ex- 
press his  will  in  such  metaphors  as  their  former  affections  or 
practice  had  inclined  them  to :  and  he  brings  Solomon  for  an 
example,  who  before,  his  conversion  was  remarkably  carnally 
amorous ;  and  after  by  God's  appointment  wrote  that  spiritual 
dialogue  or  holy  amorous  love-song,  the  Canticles,  betwixt 
God  and  his  Church ;  in  which  he  says  his  beloved  had  eyes 
like  the  fish-pools  of  Heshbon. 

And  if  this  hold  in  reason,  as  I  see  none  to  the  contrary, 
then  it  may  be  probably  concluded,  that  Moses,  who,  I  told 
you  before,  writ  the  Book  of  Job,  and  the  Prophet  Amos,  who 


Chap.  l.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  6f 

was  a  shepherd,  were  both  Anglers ;  for  you  shall  in  all  the 
Old  Testament  find  fish-hooks,  I  think,  but  twice  mentioned ; 
namely,  by  meek  Moses,  the  fi-iend  of  God,  and  by  the  humble 
Prophet  Amos. 

Concerning  which  last,  namely,  the  Prophet  Amos,  I  shall 
make  but  this  observation, — that  he  that  shall  read  the  humble, 
lowly,  plain  style  of  that  prophet,  and  compare  it  with  the 
high,  glorious,  eloquent  style  of  the  Prophet  Isaiah,  though 
they  be  both  equally  true,  may  easily  believe  Amos  to  be,  not 
only  a  shepherd,  but  a  good-natured,  plain  fisherman.  Which 
I  do  the  rather  believe  by  comparing  the  affectionate,  loving, 
lowly,  humble  Epistles  of  St.  Peter,  St.  James,  and  St.  John, 
whom  we  know  were  all  Fishers,  with  the  glorious  language 
and  high  metaphors  of  St.  Paul,  who  we  may  believe  was  not. 

And  for  the  lawfulness  of  fishing,  it  may  very  well  be  main- 
tained by  our  Saviour's  bidding  St.  Peter  cast  his  hook  into 
the  water  and  catch  a  fish,  for  money  to  pay  tribute  to  Caesar. 
And  let  me  tell  you,  that  Angling  is  of  high  esteem,  and  of 
much  use  in  other  nations.  He  that  reads  the  Voyages  of  Fer- 
dinand Mendez  Pinto  shall  find  that  there  he  declares  to  have 
found  a  king  and  several  priests  a-fishing. 

And  he  that  reads  Plutarch  shall  find  that  Angling  was  not 
contemptible  in  the  days  of  Mark  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  and 
that  they  in  the  midst  of  their  wonderful  glory  used  Angling  as 
a  principal  recreation.  And  let  me  tell  you,  that  in  the  Script- 
ure Angling  is  always  taken  in  the  best  sense ;  and  that,  though 
Hunting  may  be  sometimes  so  taken,  yet  it  is  but  seldom  to  be 
so  understood.  And  let  me  add  this  more, — he  that  views  the 
ancient  Ecclesiastical  Canons  shall  find  Hunting  to  be  forbid- 
den to  churchmen,  as  being  a  turbulent,  toilsome,  perplexing 
recreation ;  and  shall  find  Angling  allowed  to  clergymen,  as 
being  a  harmless  recreation,  a  recreation  that  invites  them  to 
contemplation  and  quietness. 

I  might  here  enlarge  myself  by  telHng  you  what  commenda- 
tions our  learned  Perkins  bestows  on  Augkng ;  and  how  dear  a 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Pari  1 

lover  and  great  a  practiser  of  it  our  learned  Doctor  Whitaker 
was,  as  indeed  many  others  of  great  learning  have  been.  But 
I  will  content  myself  with  two  memorable  men,  that  lived  near 
to  our  own  time,  whom  I  also  take  to  have  been  ornaments  to 
the  art  of  Anghng. 

The  first  is  Doctor  Nowel,  sometime  Dean  of  the  Cathedral 
Church  of  St.  Paul  in  London,  where  his  monument  stands  yet 
Undefaced  :  a  man  that  in  the  Reformation  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
not  that  of  Henry  VIIL ,  was  so  noted  for  his  meek  spirit,  deep 
learning,  prudence,  and  piety,  that  the  then  Parliament  and 
Convocation  both  chose,  enjoined,  and  trusted  him  to  be  the 
man  to  make  a  Catechism  for  public  use,  such  a  one  as  should 
stand  as  a  rule  for  faith  and  manners  to  their  posterity.  And 
the  good  old  man,  though  he  was  very  learned,  yet  knowing 
that  God  leads  us  not  to  heaven  by  many  nor  by  hard  questions, 
like  an  honest  Angler,  made  that  good,  plain,  unperplexed  Cate- 
chism which  is  printed  with  our  good  old  Service-Book.  I  say, 
this  good  man  was  a  dear  lover  and  constant  practiser  of  An- 
gling as  any  age  can  produce  ;  and  his  custom  was  to  spend,  be- 
sides his  fixed  hours  of  prayer,  those  hours  which  by  command 
of  the  Church  were  enjoined  the  clergy,  and  voluntarily  dedi- 
cated to  devotion  by  many  primitive  Christians, — I  say,  beside 
those  hours,  this  good  man  was  observed  to  spend  a  tenth  part 
of  his  time  in  Angling ;  and  also,  for  I  have  conversed  with 
those  which  have  conversed  with  him,  to  bestow  a  tenth  part 
of  his  revenue,  and  usually  all  his  fish,  amongst  the  poor  that 
inhabited  near  to  those  rivers  in  which  it  was  caught ;  saying 
often,  '*  that  Charity  gave  hfe  to  Religion  "  :  and  at  his  return 
to  his  house  would  praise  God  he  had  spent  that  day  free  from 
worldly  trouble  ]  both  harmlessly,  and  in  a  recreation  that  be- 
came a  churchman.  And  this  good  man  was  well  content,  if 
not  desirous,  that  posterity  should  know  he  was  an  Angler,  as 
may  appear  by  his  picture  now  to  be  seen,  and  carefully  kept  in 
Brazen -nose  College,  to  which  he  was  a  liberal  benefactor ;  in 
which  picture  he  is  dr^wn  leaning  on  a  desk  with  his  Bible  be- 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  69 

fore  him,  and  on  one  hand  of  him  his  Hnes,  hooks,  and  other 
tackhng,  lying  in  a  round ;  and  on  his  other  hand  are  his  Angle- 
rods  of  several  sorts  :  and  by  them  this  is  written,  ''  that  he  died 
13  Feb.  1 60 1,  being  aged  ninety-five  years,  forty-four  of  which 
he  had  been  Dean  of  St.  Paul's  Church ;  and  that  his  age  had 
neither  impaired  his  hearing,  nor  dimmed  his  eyes,  nor  weakened 
his  memory,  nor  made  any  of  the  faculties  of  his  mind  weak  01 
useless."  'T  is  said  that  Anghng  and  temperance  were  great 
causes  of  these  blessings,  and  I  wish  the  like  to  all  that  imitate 
him  and  love  the  memory  of  so  good  a  man. 

My  next  and  last  example  shall  be  that  undervaluer  of  money, 
the  late  Provost  of  Eton  College,  Sir  Henry  Wotton ;  a  man 
with  whom  I  have  often  fished  and  conversed,  a  man  whose 
foreign  employments  in  the  service  of  this  nation,  and  whose 
experience,  learning,  wit,  and  cheerfulness  made  his  company 
to  be  esteemed  one  of  the  delights  of  mankind.  This  man, 
whose  very  approbation  of  Angling  were  sufficient  to  convince 
any  modest  censurer  of  it,  this  man  was  also  a  most  dear  lover, 
and  a  frequent  practiser,  of  the  art  of  Angling ;  of  which  he 
would  say,  *'  'T  was  an  employment  for  his  idle  time,  which 
was  then  not  idly  spent  "  :  for  Angling  was,  after  tedious  study, 
^'  a  rest  to  his  mind,  a  cheerer  of  his  spirits,  a  diverter  of  sad- 
ness, a  calmer  of  unquiet  thoughts,  a  moderator  of  passions,  a 
procurer  of  contentedness  "  ;  and  "  that  it  begat  habits  of  peace 
and  patience  in  those  that  professed  and  practised  it. ' '  Indeed, 
my  friend,  you  will  find  Angling  to  be  like  the  virtue  of  humil- 
ity, which  has  a  calmness  of  spirit,  and  a  world  of  other  bless- 
ings attending  upon  it. 

Sir,  this  was  the  saying  of  that  learned  man,  and  I  do  easily 
believe  that  peace,  and  patience,  and  a  calm  content,  did  co- 
habit in  the  cheerful  heart  of  Sir  Henry  Wotton,  because  I  know 
that,  when  he  was  beyond  seventy  years  of  age,  he  made  this 
description  of  a  part  of  the  present  pleasure  that  possessed  him, 
as  he  sat  quietly  in  a  summer's  evening  on  a  bank  a-fishing.  It 
is  a  description  of  the  Spring,  which  because  it  glided  as  soft 


yo  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

and  sweetly  from  his  pen  as  that  river  does  at  this  time,  by 
which  it  was  then  made,  I  shall  repeat  it  unto  you. 

"  This  day  Dame  Nature  seemed  in  love  ; 
The  lusty  sap  began  to  move  ; 
Fresh  juice  did  stir  th'  embracing  vines. 
And  birds  had  drawn  their  valentines. 
The  jealous  Trout,  that  low  did  lie, 
Rose  at  a  well-dissembled  fly  : 
There  stood  my  friend,  with  patient  skill, 
Attending  of  his  trembling  quill. 
Already  were  the  eaves  possest 
With  the  swift  Pilgrim's  daubed  nest : 
The  groves  already  did  rejoice 
In  Philomel's  triumphing  voice  : 
The  showers  were  short,  the  weather  mild, 
The  morning  fresh,  the  evening  smiled. 

Joan  takes  her  neat  rubbed  pail,  and  now 
She  trips  to  milk  the  sand-red  cow  ; 
Where,  for  some  sturdy  foot-ball  swain, 
Joan  strokes  a  syllabub  or  twain. 
The  fields  and  gardens  wer«  beset 
With  tulips,  crocus,  violet  : 
And  now,  though  late,  the  modest  rose 
Did  more  than  half  a  blush  disclose. 
Thus  all  looks  gay,  and  full  of  cheer, 
To  welcome  the  new-liveried  year.'* 

These  were  the  thoughts  that  then  possessed  the  undisturbed 
mind  of  Sir  Henry  Wotton.  Will  you  hear  the  wish  of  another 
Angler,  and  the  commendation  of  his  happy  life,  which  he  also 
sings  in  verse  ?  viz.  Jo.  Davors,  Esq. : — 

"  Let  me  live  harmlessly,  and  near  the  brink 

Of  Trent  or  Avon  have  a  dwelling-place  ; 
Where  I  may  see  my  quill  or  cork  down  sink 

With  eager  bite  of  Perch,  or  Bleak,  or  Dace  ; 
And  on  the  world  and  my  Creator  think  : 

Whilst  some  men  strive  ill-gotten  goods  to  embrace. 
And  others  spend  their  time  in  base  excess 
Of  wine,  or,  worse,  in  war  and  wantonness. 


Chap,  t)       THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  ft 

"  Let  them  that  list  these  pastimes  still  pursue, 

And  on  such  pleasing  fancies  feed  their  fill, 
So  I  the  fields  and  meadows  green  may  view, 

And  daily  by  fresh  rivers  walk  at  will, 
Among  the  daisies  and  the  violets  blue, 

Red  hyacinth,  and  yellow  daffodil. 
Purple  Narcissus  like  the  morning  rays, 
Pale  gander-grass,  and  azure  culver  keys. 

**  I  count  it  higher  pleasure  to  behold 

The  stately  compass  of  the  lofty  sky. 
And  in  the  midst  thereof,  like  burning  gold, 

The  flaming  chariot  of  the  world's  great  eye  ; 
The  watery  clouds  that  in  the  air  up-rolled 

With  sundry  kinds  of  painted  colors  fly  ; 
And  fair  Aurora  lifting  up  her  head, 
Still  blushing,  rise  from  old  Tithonus'  bed  ; 

**  The  hills  and  mountains  raised  from  the  plains, 

The  plains  extended  level  with  the  ground, 
The  grounds  divided  into  sundry  veins. 

The  veins  enclosed  with  rivers  running  round  ; 
These  rivers  making  way  through  Nature's  chains 

With  headlong  course  into  the  sea  profound  ; 
The  raging  sea,  beneath  the  valleys  low, 
Where  lakes  and  rills  and  rivulets  do  flow ; 

•*  The  lofty  woods,  the  forests  wide  and  long, 

Adorned  with  leaves,  and  branches  fresh  and  green. 

In  whose  cool  bowers  the  birds  with  many  a  song 
Do  welcome  with  their  choir  the  Summer's  Queen  ; 

The  meadows  fair  where  Flora's  gifts  among 
Are  intermixed,  with  verdant  grass  between  ; 

The  silver  scaled  fish  that  softly  swim 

Within  the  sweet  brook's  crystal  watery  stream. 

"  All  these,  and  many  more  of  His  creation 

That  made  the  heavens,  the  Angler  oft  doth  see  ; 

Taking  therein  no  little  delectation, 

To  think  how  strange,  how  wonderful,  they  be ! 

Framing  thereof  an  inward  contemplation. 
To  set  his  heart  from  other  fancies  free ; 

And  whilst  he  looks  on  these  with  joyful  ey^ 

His  mind  is  rapt  above  the  starry  sky." 


72  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I, 

Sir,  I  am  glad  my  memory  has  not  lost  these  last  verses, 
because  they  are  somewhat  more  pleasant  and  more  suitable 
to  May-day  than  my  harsh  discourse  ;  and  I  am  glad  your 
patience  hath  held  out  so  long  as  to  hear  them  and  me,  for 
both  together  have  brought  us  within  sight  of  the  Thatched 
House ;  and  I  must  be  your  debtor,  if  you  think  it  worth  your 
attention,  for  the  rest  of  my  promised  discourse,  till  some  other 
opportunity  and  a  like  time  of  leisure. 

Ven.  Sir,  you  have  Angled  me  on  with  much  pleasure  to  the 
Thatched  House ;  and  I  now  find  your  words  true,  that  "  good 
company  makes  the  way  seem  short "  :  for  trust  me.  Sir,  I 
thought  we  had  wanted  three  miles  of  this  house  till  you 
showed  it  to  me ;  but  now  v^e  are  at  it,  we  Tl  turn  into  it,  and 
refresh  ourselves  with  a  cup  of  drink  and  a  little  rest. 

Pisc.  Most  gladly.  Sir,  and  we  Tl  drink  a  civil  cup  to  all  the 
Otter-hunters  that  are  to  meet  you  to-morrow. 

Ven.  That  we  will.  Sir,  and  to  all  the  lovers  of  Angling  too, 
of  which  number  I  am  now  wiUing  to  be  one  myself;  for,  by 
the  help  of  your  good  discourse  and  company,  I  have  put  on 
new  thoughts  both  of  the  art  of  Angling,  and  of  all  that  pro- 
fess it :  and  if  you  will  but  meet  me  to-morrow  at  the  time  and 
place  appointed,  and  bestow  one  day  with  me  and  my  friends 
in  hunting  the  Otter,  I  will  dedicate  the  next  two  days  to  wait 
upon  you,  and  we  two  will  for  that  time  do  nothing  but  angle, 
and  talk  of  fish  and  fishing. 

Pisc.  'T  is  a  match.  Sir ;  I  Tl  not  fail  you,  God  wilHng,  to  be 
at  Amwell  Hill  to-morrow  morning  before  sun-rising. 


THE    SECOND    DAY. 

Chap.  \l.— Observations  of  the  Otter  and  Chub, 

Venator. 

MY  friend  Piscator,  you  have  kept  time  with  my  thoughts ; 
for  the  sun  is  just  rising,  and  I  myself  just  now  come  to 
this  place,  and  the  dogs  have  just  now  put  down  an  Otter. 
Look  down  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill  there  in  that  meadow, 
checkered  with  water-lilies  and  lady-smocks ;  there  you  may 
see  what  work  they  make.  Look  !  look  !  you  may  see  all  busy, 
men  and  dogs,  dogs  and  men,  all  busy. 

Pisc.  Sir,  I  am  right  glad  to  meet  you,  and  glad  to  have  so 
fair  an  entrance  into  this  day's  sport,  and  glad  to  see  so  many 
dogs,  and  more  men  all  in  pursuit  of  the  Otter.  Let 's  com- 
pliment no  longer,  but  join  unto  them.  Come,  honest  Vena- 
tor, let 's  be  gone,  let  us  make  haste ;  I  long  to  be  doing :  no 
reasonable  hedge  or  ditch  shall  hold  me. 

Ven.  Gentleman  Huntsman,  where  found  you  this  Otter  ? 

Hunt.  Marry,  Sir,  we  found  her  a  mile  from  this  place, 
a-fishing :  she  has  this  morning  eaten  the  greatest  part  of  this 
Trout ;  she  has  only  left  thus  much  of  it,  as  you  see,  and  was 
fishing  for  more.  When  we  came,  we  found  her  just  at  it :  but 
we  were  here  very  early,  we  were  here  an  hour  before  sunrise, 
and  have  given  her  no  rest  since  we  came ;  sure  she  will  hardly 
escape  all  these  dogs  and  men.  I  am  to  have  the  skin  if  we 
kill  her. 

Ven.  Why,  Sir,  what 's  the  skin  worth  ? 

Hunt.  'T  is  worth  ten  shillings  to  make  gloves;  the  gloves 
of  an  Otter  are  the  best  fortification  for  your  hands  that  can  be 
thought  on  against  wet  weather. 


74  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

Pisc.  I  pray,  honest  Huntsman,  let  me  ask  you  a  pleasant 
question :  Do  you  hunt  a  beast  or  a  fish  ? 

Hunt.  Sir,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  resolve  you.  I  leave  it 
to  be  resolved  by  the  College  of  Carthusians,  who  have  made 
vows  never  to  eat  flesh.  But  I  have  heard  the  question  hath 
been  debated  among  many  great  clerks,  and  they  seem  to  differ 
about  it;  yet  most  agree  that  her  tail  is  fish :  and  if  her  body 
be  fish  too,  then  I  may  say  that  a  fish  will  walk  upon  land,  for 
an  Otter  does  so  sometimes  five,  or  six,  or  ten  miles  in  a  night, 
to  catch  for  her  young  ones,  or  to  glut  herself  with  fish,  and  I 
can  tell  you  that  pigeons  will  fly  forty  miles  for  a  breakfast ; 
but.  Sir,  I  am  sure  the  Otter  devours  much  fish,  and  kills  and 
spoils  much  more  than  he  eats  :  and  I  can  tell  you  that  this 
Dog-fisher,  for  so  the  Latins  call  him,  can  smell  a  fish  in  the 
water  an  hundred  yards  from  him  :  Gesner  says  much  farther, 
and  that  his  stones  are  good  against  the  falling-sickness ;  and 
that  there  is  an  herb,  Benione,  which  being  hung  in  a  linen- 
cloth  near  a  fish-pond,  or  any  haunt  that  he  uses,  makes  him 
to  avoid  the  place ;  which  proves  he  smells  both  by  water  and 
land.  And  I  can  tell  you  there  is  brave  hunting  this  water- 
dog  in  Cornwall ;  where  there  have  been  so  many,  that  our 
learned  Camden  says  there  is  a  river  called  Ottersey,  which 
was  so  named  by  reason  of  the  abundance  of  Otters  that  bred 
and  fed  in  it. 

And  thus  much  for  my  knowledge  of  the  Otter,  which  you 
may  now  see  above  water  at  vent,  and  the  dogs  close  with 
him;  I  now  see  he  will  not  last  long:  follow,  therefore,  my 
masters,  follow,  for  Sweethps  was  like  to  have  him  at  this  last 
vent. 

Ven.  Oh  me !  all  the  horse  are  got  over  the  river.  What 
shall  we  do  now  ?  shall  we  follow  them  over  the  water  ? 

Hunt.  No,  Sir,  no,  be  not  so  eager  :  stay  a  little  and  follow 
me,  for  both  they  and  the  dogs  will  be  suddenly  on  this  side 
again,  I  warrant  you ;  and  the  Otter  too,  it  may  be.  Now 
have  at  him  with  Kilbuck,  for  he  vents  again. 

/ 


Chap.  11.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  75 

Ven.  Marry,  so  he  does,  for  look,  he  vents  in  that  corner. 
Now,  now  Ringwood  has  him :  now  he  's  gone  again,  and  has 
bit  the  poor  dog.  Now  Sweethps  has  her ;  hold  her,  Sweet- 
lips  !  Now  all  the  dogs  have  her,  some  above  and  some  under 
water ;  but  now,  now  she  's  tired,  and  past  losing :  come,  bring 
her  to  me,  Sweetlips.  Look,  't  is  a  Bitch-Otter,  and  she  has 
lately  whelped  :  let 's  go  to  the  place  where  she  was  put  down, 
and  not  far  from  it  you  will  find  all  her  young  ones,  I  dare 
warrant  you,  and  kill  them  all  too. 

Hunt.  Come,  Gentlemen  !  come  all !  let 's  go  to  the  place 
where  we  put  down  the  Otter.  Look  you,  hereabout  it  was 
that  she  kennelled ;  look  you,  here  it  was  indeed,  for  here 's 
her  young  ones,  no  less  than  five:  come,  let's  kill  them 
all. 

Pisc.  No,  I  pray.  Sir,  save  me  one,  and  I  '11  try  if  I  can  make 
her  tame,  as  I  know  an  ingenious  gentleman  in  Leicestershire, 
Mr.  Nich.  Seagrave,  has  done ;  who  hath  not  only  made  her 
tame,  but  to  catch  fish,  and  do  many  other  things  of  much 
pleasure. 

Hunt.  Take  one  with  all  my  heart,  but  let  us  kill  the  rest. 
And  now  let 's  go  to  an  honest  ale-house,  where  we  may  have  a 
cup  of  good  barley-wine,  and  sing  "  Old  Rose,"  and  all  of  us 
rejoice  together. 

Ven.  Come,  my  friend  Piscator,  let  me  invite  you  along  with 
us.  I  '11  bear  your  charges  this  night,  and  you  shall  bear  mine 
to-morrow ;  for  my  intention  is  to  accompany  you  a  day  or  two 
in  fishing. 

Pisc.  Sir,  your  request  is  granted,  and  I  shall  be  right  glad, 
both  to  exchange  such  a  courtesy,  and  also  to  enjoy  your  com- 
pany. 

Ven.  Well,  now  let 's  go  to  your  sport  of  Angling. 

Pisc.  Let 's  be  going  with  all  my  heart.  God  keep  you  all. 
Gentlemen,  and  send  you  meet  this  day  with  another  Bitch- 
Otter,  and  kill  her  merrily,  and  all  her  young  ones  too. 

Ven.  Now,  Piscator,  where  will  we  begin  to  fish  ? 


^6  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

Pisc.  We  are  not  yet  come  to  a  likely  place :  I  must  walk  a 
mile  further  yet,  before  I  begin. 

Ven.  Well  then,  I  pray,  as  we  walk,  tell  me  freely  how  do 
you  like  your  lodging,  and  mine  host,  and  the  company  ?  Is 
not  mine  host  a  witty  man  ? 

Pisc.  Sir,  I  will  tell  you  presently  what  I  think  of  your 
host;  but  first  I  will  tell  you,  I  am  glad  these  Otters  were 
killed,  and  I  am  sorry  that  there  are  no  more  otter-killers :  for 
I  know  that  the  want  of  otter-killers,  and  the  not  keeping  the 
Fence-months  for  the  preservation  of  fish,  will  in  time  prove 
the  destruction  of  all  rivers ;  and  those  very  few  that  are  left, 
that  make  conscience  of  the  laws  of  the  nation,  and  of  keeping 
days  of  abstinence,  will  be  forced  to  eat  flesh,  or  suffer  more 
inconveniences  than  are  yet  foreseen. 

Ven.  Why,  Sir,  what  be  those  that  you  call  the  Fence-months? 

Pisc.  Sir,  they  be  principally  three,  namely,  March,  April, 
and  May ;  for  these  be  the  usual  months  that  Salmon  come  out 
of  the  sea  to  spawn  in  most  fresh  rivers,  and  their  fry  would 
about  a  certain  time  return  back  to  the  salt  water,  if  they  were 
not  hindered  by  weirs  and  unlawful  gins,  which  the  greedy 
fishermen  set,  and  so  destroy  them  by  thousands;  as  they 
would,  being  so  taught  by  Nature,  change  the  fresh  for  salt 
water.  He  that  shall  view  the  wise  statutes  made  in  the  13th 
of  Edward  I.,  and  the  like  in  Richard  II.,  may  see  several  pro- 
visions made  against  the  destruction  of  fish  ;  and  though  I 
profess  no  knowledge  of  the  law,  yet  I  am  sure  the  regulation 
of  these  defects  might  be  easily  mended.  But  I  remember 
that  a  wise  friend  of  mine  did  usually  say,  ^'That  which  is 
everybody's  business  is  nobody's  business";  if  it  were  other- 
wise, there  could  not  be  so  many  nets  and  fish  that  are  under 
the  statute  size  sold  daily  amongst  us,  and  of  which  the  conser- 
vators of  the  waters  should  be  ashamed. 

But  above  all,  the  taking  fish  in  spawning-time  may  be  said 
to  be  against  nature ;  it  is  like  the  taking  the  dam  on  the  nest 
when  she  hatches  her  young  ;  a  sin  so  against  nature,  that  Al- 


Chap.  II.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  TJ 

mighty  God  hath  in  the  Levitical  law,  Deuteron.  xxii.  6,  7, 
made  a  law  against  it. 

But  the  poor  fish  have  enemies  enough  beside  such  unnatural 
Fishermen,  as  namely,  the  Otters  that  I  spake  of,  the  Cormo- 
rant, the  Bittern,  the  Osprey,  the  Sea-gull,  the  Heron,  the 
Kingfisher,  the  Gorara,  the  Puet,  the  Swan,  Goose,  Ducks,  and 
the  Craber,  which  some  call  the  Water-rat :  against  all  which 
any  honest  man  may  make  a  just  quarrel,  but  I  will  not,  I  will 
leave  them  to  be  quarelled  with  and  killed  by  others ;  for  I  am 
not  of  a  cruel  nature, — I  love  to  kill  nothing  but  fish. 

And  now  to  your  question  concerning  your  host.  To  speak 
truly,  he  is  not  to  me  a  good  companion :  for  most  of  his  con- 
ceits were  either  Scripture  jests,  or  lascivious  jests;  for  which 
I  count  no  man  witty,  for  the  Devil  will  help  a  man  that  way 
inclined,  to  the  first,  and  his  own  corrupt  nature,  which  he 
always  carries  with  him,  to  the  latter :  but  a  companion  that 
feasts  the  company  with  wit  and  mirth,  and  leaves  out  the  sin 
which  is  usually  mixed  with  them,  he  is  the  man  ;  and  indeed 
such  a  companion  should  have  his  charges  borne,  and  to  such 
company  I  hope  to  bring  you  this  night ;  for  at  Trout  Hall, 
not  far  from  this  place,  where  I  'purpose  to  lodge  to-night,  there 
is  usually  an  Angler  that  proves  good  company.  And  let  me 
tell  you,  good  company  and  good  discourse  are  the  very  sinews 
of  virtue :  but  for  such  discourse  as  we  heard  last  night,  it  in- 
fects others,  the  very  boys  will  learn  to  talk  and  swear  as  they 
heard  mine  host,  and  another  of  the  company  that  shall  be 
nameless  ;  I  am  sorry  the  other  is  a  gentleman,  for  less  religion 
will  not  save  their  souls  than  a  beggar's :  I  think  more  will  be 
required  at  the  last  great  day.  Well,  you  know  what  example 
is  able  to  do  ;  and  I  know  what  the  poet  says  in  the  like  case, 
which  is  worthy  to  be  noted  by  all  parents  and  people  of  ci- 
vility : — 

"  Many  a  one 
Owes  to  his  country  his  rehgion  : 
And  in  another  would  as  strongly  grow, 
Had  but  his  nurse  or  mother  taught  him  so," 


78  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

This  is  reason  put  into  verse,  and  worthy  the  consideration 
of  a  wise  man.  But  of  this  no  more,  for  though  I  love  civil- 
ity, yet  I  hate  severe  censures  :  I  '11  to  my  own  art,  and  I  doubt 
not  but  at  yonder  tree  I  shall  catch  a  Chub,  and  then  we'll 
turn  to  an  honest  cleanly  hostess,  that  I  know  right  well,  rest 
ourselves  there,  and  dress  it  for  our  dinner. 

Ven.  O  Sir  !  a  Chub  is  the  worst  fish  that  swims ;  I  hoped 
for  a  Trout  to  my  dinner. 

Pisc,  Trust  me,  Sir,  there  is  not  a  Hkely  place  for  a  Trout 
hereabout,  and  we  stayed  so  long  to  take  our  leave  of  your 
huntsmen  this  morning,  that  the  sun  has  got  so  high,  and  shines 
so  clear,  that  I  will  not  undertake  the  catching  of  a  Trout  till 
evening.  And  though  a  Chub  be  by  you  and  many  others 
reckoned  the  worst  of  fish,  yet  you  shall  see  I  '11  make  it  a  good 
fish  by  dressing  it. 

Ven.  Why,  how  will  you  dress  him? 

Pisc.  I'll  tell  you  by  and  by,  when  I  have  caught  him. 
Look  you  here.  Sir,  do  you  see? — but  you  must  stand  very 
close, — there  lie  upon  the  top  of  the  water  in  this  very  hole 
twenty  Chubs.  I  '11  catch  only  one,  and  that  shall  be  the  big- 
gest of  them  all ;  and  that  I  will  do  so  I  '11  hold  you  twenty  to 
one,  and  you  shall  see  it  done. 

Ven.  Ay,  marry.  Sir  !  now  you  talk  like  an  artist ;  and  I  '11 
say  you  are  one,  when  I  shall  see  you  perform  what  you  say 
you  can  do :   but  I  yet  doubt  it. 

Pisc.  You  shall  not  doubt  it  long,  for  you  shall  see  me  do  it 
presently.  Look,  the  biggest  of  these  Chubs  has  had  some 
bruise  upon  his  tail,  by  a  pike  or  some  other  accident,  and  that 
looks  like  a  white  spot ;  that  very  Chub  I  mean  to  put  into 
your  hands  presently ;  sit  you  but  down  in  the  shade,  and  stay 
but  a  little  while,  and  I  '11  warrant  you  I  '11  bring  him  to 
you. 

Ven.  I  '11  sit  down  and  hope  well,  because  you  seem  to  be 
so  confident. 


Chap.  II.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  79 

Pisc.  Look  you,  Sir,  there  is  a  trial  of  my  skill ;  there  he 


is; 


that  very  Chub  that  I  showed  you  with  the  white  spot  on  his 
tail ;  and  I  '11  be  as  certain  to  make  him  a  good  dish  of  meat, 
as  I  was  to  catch  him.  I  '11  now  lead  you  to  an  honest  ale- 
house, where  we  shall  find  a  cleanly  room,  lavender  in  the 
windows,  and  twenty  ballads  stuck  about  the  wall :  there  my 
hostess,  which  I  may  tell  you  is  both  cleanly,  and  handsome, 
and  civil,  hath  dressed  many  a  one  for  me,  and  shall  now  dress 
it  after  my  fashion,  and  I  warrant  it  good  meat. 

Ven.  Come,  Sir,  with  all  my  heart,  for  I  begin  to  be  hun- 
gry, and  long  to  be  at  it,  and  indeed  to  rest  myself  too ;  for 
though  I  have  walked  but  four  miles  this  morning,  yet  I  begin 
to  be  weary ;  yesterday's  hunting  hangs  still  upon  me. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  and  you  shall  quickly  be  at  rest,  for  yonder 
is  the  house  I  mean  to  bring  you  to. 

Come,  Hostess,  how  do  you  ?  Will  you  first  give  us  a  cup 
of  your  best  drink,  and  then  dress  this  Chub,  as  you  dressed  my 
last,  when  I  and  my  friend  were  here  about  eight  or  ten  days 
ago  ?  But  you  must  do  me  one  courtesy,  it  must  be  done  in- 
stantly. 

Hostess.  I  will  do  it,  Mr.  Piscator,  and  with  all  the  speed 
I  can. 

Pisc.  Now,  Sir,  has  not  my  hostess  made  haste?  and  does 
not  the  fish  look  lovely  ? 


So  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  JPart  I 

Ven.  Both,  upon  my  word,  Sir ;  and  therefore  let 's  say- 
grace,  and  fall  to  eating  of  it. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  how  do  you  like  it  ? 

Ven.  Trust  me,  *t  is  as  good  meat  as  I  ever  tasted :  but 
now  let  me  thank  you  for  it,  drink  to  you,  and  beg  a  courtesy 
of  you ;  but  it  must  not  be  denied  me. 

Pisc.  What  is  it,  I  pray.  Sir  ?  You  are  so  modest,  that  me- 
thinks  I  may  promise  to  grant  it  before  it  is  asked. 

Ven.  Why,  Sir,  it  is  that  from  henceforth  you  would  allow 
me  to  call  you  Master,  and  that  really  I  may  be  your  scholar ; 
for  you  are  such  a  companion,  and  have  so  quickly  caught  and 
so  excellently  cooked  this  fish,  as  makes  me  ambitious  to  be 
your  scholar. 

Pisc.  Give  me  your  hand ;  from  this  time  forward  I  wilV 
be  your  master,  and  teach  you  as  much  of  this  art  as  I  am 
able;  and  will,  as  you  desire  me,  tell  you  somewhat  of  the 
nature  of  most  of  the  fish  that  we  are  to  angle  for ;  and  I  am 
sure  I  both  can  and  will  tell  you  more  than  any  common  An- 
gler yet  knows. 


THE  THIRD   DAY. 

Chap.  III.— How  to  fish  for,  and  to  dress ^  the  Chavedner,  of 

Chub. 

PiSCATOR. 

'T'HE  Chub,  though  he  eat  well  thus  dressed,  yet  as  he  is 
•^  usually  dressed  he  does  not :  he  is  objected  against,  not  only 
for  being  full  of  small  forked  bones,  dispersed  through  all  his 
body,  but  that  he  eats  waterish,  and  that  the  flesh  of  him  is  not 
firm,  but  short  and  tasteless.  The  French  esteem  him  so  mean 
as  to  call  him  un  Vilain  ;  nevertheless  he  may  be  so  dressed  as 
to  make  him  very  good  meat :  as,  namely,  if  he  be  a  large 
Chub,  then  dress  him  thus  : — 

First  scale  him,  and  then  wash  him  clean,  and  then  take  out 
his  guts ;  and  to  that  end  make  the  hole  as  little  and  near  to 
his  gills  as  you  may  conveniently,  and  especially  make  clean 
his  throat  from  the  grass  and  weeds  that  are  usually  in  it,  for  if 
that  be  not  very  clean,  it  will  make  him  to  taste  very  sour. 
Having  so  done,  put  some  sweet  herbs  into  his  belly  \  and  then 
tie  him  with  two  or  three  splinters  to  a  spit,  and  roast  him, 
basted  often  with  vinegar,  or  rather  verjuice  and  butter,  with 
good  store  of  salt  mixed  with  it. 

Being  thus  dressed,  you  will  find  him  a  much  better  dish 
of  meat  than  you,  or  most  folk,  even  than  Anglers  themselves, 
do  imagine;  for  this  dries  up  the  fluid  watery  humor  with 
which  all  Chubs  do  abound. 

But  take  this  rule  with  you,  that  a  Chub  newly  taken  and 
newly  dressed  is  so  much  better  than  a  Chub  of  a  day's  keep- 
ing after  he  is  dead,  that  I  can  compare  him  to  nothing  so  fitly 
as  to  cherrie§  n^wly  gathered  from  a  tree,  and  others  that  have 


82  THE  COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  1. 

been  bruised  and  lain  a  day  or  two  in  water.  But  the  Chub 
being  thus  used  and  dressed  presently,  and  not  washed  after  he 
is  gutted, — for  note,  that,  lying  long  in  water,  and  washing 
the  blood  out  of  any  fish  after  they  be  gutted,  abates  much  of 
their  sweetness, — you  will  find  the  Chub,  being  dressed  in  the 
blood  and  quickly,  to  be  such  meat  as  will  recompense  your 
labor,  and  disabuse  your  opinion. 

Or  you  may  dress  the  Chavender  or  Chub  thus : — 

When  you  have  scaled  him,  and  cut  off  his  tail  and  fins,  and 
washed  him  very  clean,  then  chine  or  slit  him  through  the 
middle,  as  a  salt  fish  is  usually  cut ;  then  give  him  three  or 
four  cuts  or  scotches  on  the  back  with  your  knife,  and  broil 
him  on  charcoal,  or  wood-coal  that  is  free  from  smoke  ;  and  all 
the  time  he  is  a-broiling,  baste  him  with  the  best  sweet  butter, 
and  good  store  of  salt  mixed  with  it ;  and  to  this  add  a  little 
thyme,  cut  exceeding  small,  or  bruised  into  the  butter.  The 
Cheven  thus  dressed  hath  the  watery  taste  taken  away,  for 
which  so  many  except  against  him.  Thus  was  the  Cheven 
dressed  that  you  now  liked  so  well,  and  commended  so  much. 
But  note  again,  that  if  this  Chub  that  you  ate  of  had  been 
kept  till  to-morrow,  he  had  not  been  worth  a  rush.  And  re- 
member that  his  throat  be  washed  very  clean, — I  say  very 
clean, — ^and  his  body  not  washed  after  he  is  gutted,  as  indeed 
no  fish  should  be. 

Well,  Scholar,  you  see  what  pains  I  have  taken  to  recover 
the  lost  credit  of  the  poor,  despised  Chub.  And  now  I  will 
give  you  some  rules  how  to  catch  him :  and  I  am  glad  to  enter 
you  into  the  art  of  Fishing  by  catching  a  Chub,  for  there  is  no 
fish  better  to  enter  a  young  Angler,  he  is  so  easily  caught ;  but 
then  it  must  be  this  particular  way.  / 

Go  to  the  same  hole  in  which  I  caught  my  Chub,  where  in 
most  hot  days  you  will  find  a  dozen  or  twenty  Chevens  floating 
near  the  top  of  the  water.  Get  two  or  three  grasshoppers  as  you 
go  over  the  meadow ;  and  get  secretly  behind  the  tree,  and  stand 
as  free  from  motion  as  is  possible.     Then  put  a  grasshopper  oq 


Chap.  III.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  83 

your  hook,  and  let  your  hook  hang  a  quarter  of  a  yard  short 
of  the  water,  to  which  end  you  must  rest  your  rod  on  some 
bough  of  the  tree.  But  it  is  Kkely  the  Chubs  will  sink  down 
towards  the  bottom  of  the  water  at  the  first  shadow  of  your 
rod,  for  a  Chub  is  the  fearfullest  of  fishes,  and  will  do  so  if  but 
a  bird  flies  over  him,  and  makes  the  least  shadow  on  the  water ; 
but  they  will  presently  rise  up  to  the  top  again,  and  there  lie 
soaring  till  some  shadow  affrights  them  again.  I  say,  when  they 
lie  upon  the  top  of  the  water,  look  out  the  best  Chub,  which 
you,  setting  yourself  in  a  fit  place,  may  very  easily  see,  and 
move  your  rod  as  softly  as  a  snail  moves  to  that  Chub  you  in- 
tend to  catch :  let  your  bait  fall  gently  upon  the  water  three  or 
four  inches  before  him,  and  he  will  infallibly  take  the  bait. 
And  you  will  be  as  sure  to  catch  him ;  for  he  is  one  of  the 
leather-mouthed  fishes,  of  which  a  hook  does  scarcely  ever  lose 
its  hold ;  and,  therefore,  give  him  play  enough  before  you  offer 
to  take  him  out  of  the  water.  Go  your  way  presently ;  take 
my  rod,  and  do  as  I  bid  you,  and  I  will  sit  down  and  mend 
my  tackling  till  you  return  back. 

Ven.  Truly,  my  loving  Master,  you  have  offered  me  as  fair 
as  I  could  wish.     I  '11  go  and  observe  your  directions. 

Look  you,  Master,  what  I  have  done !  that  which  joys  my 
heart,  caught  just  such  another  Chub  as  yours  was. 

Pisc.  Marry,  and  I  am  glad  of  it;  I  am  like  to  have  a 
towardly  scholar  of  you.  I  now  see  that,  with  advice  and 
practice,  you  will  make  an  Angler  in  a  short  time.  Have  but 
a  love  to  it,  and  I  '11  warrant  you. 

Ven.  But,  Master,  what  if  I  could  not  have  found  a  grass- 
hopper ? 

Pisc.  Then  I  may  tell  you,  that  a  black  snail,  with  his  belly 
slit  to  show  his  white,  or  a  piece  of  soft  cheese,  will  usually  do 
as  well.  Nay,  sometimes  a  worm,  or  any  kind  of  fly,  as  the 
Ant-fly,  the  Flesh-fly,  or  Wall-fly,  or  the  Dor  or  Beetle,  which 
you  may  find  under  cow-dung,  or  a  Bob,  which  you  will 
find  in  the  same  place,  and  in  time  will  be  a  Beetle, — ^it  is  a 


84  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

short  white  worm,  like  to  and  bigger  than  a  gentle, — or  a  Cod- 
worm,  or  a  Case-worm, — any  of  these  will  do  very  well  to  fish 
in  such  a  manner. 

And  after  this  manner  you  may  catch  a  Trout  in  a  hot  even- 
ing ;  when,  as  you  walk  by  a  brook,  and  shall  see  or  hear  him 
leap  at  flies,  then  if  you  get  a  grasshopper,  put  it  on  your 
hook,  with  your  line  about  two  yards  long,  standing  behind  a 
bush  or  tree  where  his  hole  is,  and  make  your  bait  stir  up  and 
down  on  the  top  of  the  water.  You  may,  if  you  stand  close, 
be  sure  of  a  bite,  but  not  sure  to  catch  him,  for  he  is  not  a 
leather-mouthed  fish :  and  after  this  manner  you  may  fish  for 
him  with  almost  any  kind  of  Hve  fly,  but  especially  with  a 
grasshopper. 

Ven.  But  before  you  go  further,  I  pray,  good  Master,  what 
mean  you  by  a  leather-mouthed  fish  ? 

Pisc.  By  a  leather-mouthed  fish  I  mean  such  as  have  their 
teeth  in  their  throat,  as  the  Chub  or  Cheven  ;  and  so  the  Bar- 
bel, the  Gudgeon,  and  Carp,  and  divers  others  have ;  and  the 
hook,  being  stuck  into  the  leather,  or  skin,  of  the  mouth  of  such 
fish,  does  very  seldom  or  never  lose  its  hold :  but  on  the  con- 
trary, a  Pike,  a  Perch,  or  Trout,  and  so  some  other  fish, — which 
have  not  their  teeth  in  their  throats,  but  in  their  mouths,  which 
you  shall  observe  to  be  very  full  of  bones,  and  the  skin  very 
thin,  and  little  of  it ; — I  say,  of  these  fish  the  hook  never 
takes  so  suie  hold  but  you  often  lose  your  fish,  unless  he  have 
gorged  it. 

Ven.  I  thank  you,  good  Master,  for  this  observation ;  but 
now  what  shall  be  done  with  my  Chub  or  Cheven  that  I  have 
caught. 

Pisc.  Marry,  Sir,  it  shall  be  given  away  to  some  poor  body, 
for  I  '11  warrant  you  I  '11  give  you  a  Trout  for  your  supper: 
and  it  is  a  good  beginning  of  your  art  to  offer  your  first-fruits 
to  the  poor,  who  will  both  thank  God  and  you  for  it,  which  I 
see  by  your  silence  you  seem  to  consent  to.  And  for  your 
willingness  to  part  with  it  so  charitably,  I  will  also  teach  you 


Chap.  III.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  35 

more  concerning  Chub -fishing.  You  are  to  note  that  in  March 
and  April  he  is  usually  taken  with  worms ;  in  May,  June,  and 
July  he  will  bite  at  any  fly,  or  at  cherries,  or  at  beetles  with 
their  legs  and  wings  cut  off,  or  at  any  kind  of  snail,  or  at  the 
black  bee  that  breeds  in  clay- walls ;  and  he  never  refuses  a 
grasshopper  on  the  top  of  a  swift  stream,  nor,  at  the  bottom, 
the  young  humble-bee  that  breeds  in  long  grass,  and  is  ordi- 
narily found  by  the  mower  of  it.  In  August,  and  in  the  cooler 
months,  a  yellow  paste,  made  of  the  strongest  cheese,  and 
pounded  in  a  mortar  with  a  little  butter  and  saffron,  so  much 
of  it  as  being  beaten  small  will  turn  it  to  a  lemon  color.  And 
some  make  a  paste  for  the  winter  months, — at  which  time  the 
Chub  is  accounted  best,  for  then  it  is  observed  that  the  forked 
bones  are  lost  or  turned  into  a  kind  of  gristle,  especially  if  he 
be  baked, — of  cheese  and  turpentine.  He  will  bite  also  at  a 
Minnow  or  Penk,  as  a  Trout  will ;  of  which  I  shall  tell  you 
more  hereafter,  and  of  divers  other  baits.  But  take  this  for  a 
rule,  that  in  hot  weather  he  is  to  be  fished  for  towards  the  mid- 
water,  or  near  the  top ;  and  in  colder  weather  nearer  the  bot- 
tom. And  if  you  fish  for  him  on  the  top  with  a  beetle  or  any 
fly,  then  be  sure  to  let  your  line  be  very  long,  and  to  keep  out 
of  sight.  And  having  told  you  that  his  spawn  is  excellent 
meat,  and  that  the  head  of  a  large  Cheven,  the  throat  being 
well  washed,  is  the  best  part  of  him,  I  will  say  no  more  of  this 
fish  at  the  present,  but  wish  you  may  catch  the  next  you  fish 
for. 

But  lest  you  may  judge  me  too  nice  in  urging  to  have  the 
Chub  dressed  so  presently  after  he  is  taken,  I  will  commend  to 
your  consideration  how  curious  former  times  have  been  in  the 
like  kind. 

You  shall  read  in  Seneca  his  ''  Natural  Questions,"  Lib.  iii. 
cap.  17,  that  the  ancients  were  so  curious  in  the  newness  of 
their  fish,  that  that  seemed  not  new  enough  that  was  not  put 
alive  into  the  guest's  hand  ;  and  he  says  that  to  that  end  they  did 
usually  keep  them  living  in  glass  bottles  in  their  dining-rooms  ; 


S6  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

and  they  did  glory  much,  in  their  entertaining  of  friends,  to  have 
that  fish  taken  from  under  their  table  alive,  that  was  instantly  to 
be  fed  upon.  And  he  says  they  took  great  pleasure  to  see  their 
Mullets  change  to  several  colors,  when  they  were  dying.  But 
enough  of  this,  for  I  doubt  I  have  stayed  too  long  from  giving 
you  some  observations  of  the  Trout,  and  how  to  fish  for  him, 
which  shall  take  up  the  next  of  my  spare  time. 


THE   THIRD    DAY. 

Chap.  IV. — Observations  of  the  Nature  and  Breeding  of  the 
Trout,  and  how  tojishfor  him.     And  the  Milkmaid's  Song. 

PiSCATOR. 

TTHE  Trout  is  a  fish  highly  valued  both  in  this  and  foreign 
*  nations.  He  may  be  justly  said,  as  the  old  poet  said  of 
wine,  and  we  English  say  of  venison,  to  be  a  generous  fish  :  2. 
fish  that  is  so  like  the  buck  that  he  also  has  his  seasons ;  for  it 
is  observed,  that  he  comes  in  and  goes  out  of  season  with  the 
stag  and  buck.  Gesner  says  his  name  is  of  a  German  offspring, 
and  says  he  is  a  fish  that  feeds  clean  and  purely,  in  the  swiftest 
streams,  and  on  the  hardest  gravel ;  and  that  he  may  justly 
contend  with  all  fresh-water  fish,  as  the  Mullet  may  with  all 
sea-fish,  for  precedency  and  daintiness  of  taste,  and  that,  being 
in  right  season,  the  most  dainty  palates  have  allowed  prece- 
dency to  him. 

And  before  I  go  further  in  my  discourse,  let  me  tell  you  that 
you  are  to  observe,  that,  as  there  be  some  barren  does,  that  are 
good  in  summer,  so  there  be  some  barren  Trouts  that  are  good 
in  winter ;  but  there  are  not  many  that  are  so,  for  usually  they 
be  in  their  perfection  in  the  month  of  May,  and  decline  with 
the  buck.  Now  you  are  to  take  notice,  that  in  several  coun- 
tries, as  in  Germany  and  in  other  parts,  compared  to  ours,  fish 
do  differ  much  in  their  bigness,  and  shape,  and  other  ways, 
and  so  do  Trouts.  It  is  well  known  that  in  the  Lake  Leman, 
the  Lake  of  Geneva,  there  are  Trouts  taken  of  three  cubits 
long,  as  is  affirmed  by  Gesner,  a  writer  of  good  credit;  and 
Mercator  says,  the  Trouts  that  are  taken  in  the  Lake  of  Geneva 
are  a  great  part  of  the  merchandise  of  that  famous  city.     And 


88  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

you  are  further  to  know,  that  there  be  certain  waters  that  breed 
Trouts  remarkable  both  for  their  number  and  smaUness.  I 
know  a  Httle  brook  in  Kent  that  breeds  them  to  a  number  in- 
credible, and  you  may  take  them  twenty  or  forty  in  an  hour, 
but  none  greater  than  about  the  size  of  a  gudgeon.  There  are 
also  in  divers  rivers,  especially  that  relate  to,  or  be  near  to  the 
sea,  as  Winchester,  or  the  Thames  about  Windsor,  a  little  Trout 
called  a  Samlet  or  Skegger-Trout, — ^in  both  which  places  I  have 


caught  twenty  or  forty  at  a  standing, — that  will  bite  as  fast  and 
as  freely  as  minnows ;  these  be  by  some  taken  to  be  young 
Salmons,  but  in  those  waters  they  never  grow  to  be  bigger  than 
a  herring. 

There  is  also  in  Kent  near  to  Canterbury  a  Trout  called 
there  a  Fordidge  Trout,  a  Trout  that  bears  the  name  of  the 
town  where  it  is  usually  caught,  that  is  accounted  the  rarest 
of  fish;  many  of  them  near  the  bigness  of  a  Salmon,  but 
known  by  their  different  color,  and  in  their  best  season  they 
cut  very  white,  and  none  of  these  have  been  known  to  be 
caught  with  an  angle,  unless  it  were  one  that  was  caught  by 
Sir  George  Hastings,  an  excellent  Angler,  and  now  with  God ; 
and  he  hath  told  me,  he  thought  that  Trout  bit  not  for  hunger 
but  wantonness ;  and  is  the  rather  to  be  believed,  because  both 
he  then,  and  many  others  before  him,  have  been  curious  to 
search  into  their  bellies,  what  the  food  was  by  which  they 
lived  :  and  have  found  out  nothing  by  which  they  might  satisfy 
their  curiosity. 


Chap.  IV.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  89 

Concerning  which  you  are  to  take  notice,  that  it  is  reported 
by  good  authors,  that  grasshoppers,  and  some  fish,  have  no 
moutlis,  but  are  nourished  and  take  breath  by  the  porousness  of 
their  gills,  man  knows  not  how ;  and  this  may  be  believed,  if 
we  consider  that,  when  the  Raven  hath  hatched  her  eggs,  she 
takes  no  further  care,  but  leaves  her  young  ones  to  the  care  of 
the  God  of  nature,  who  is  said  in  the  Psalms,  (Psal.  clxvii.  9,) 
*'  to  feed  the  young  ravens  that  call  upon  him."  And  they  be 
kept  alive,  and  fed  by  a  dew,  or  worms  that  breed  in  their  nests, 
or  some  other  ways  that  we  mortals  know  not ;  and  this  may  be 
believed  of  the  Fordidge  Trout,  which,  as  it  is  said  of  the  Stork, 
Jerem.  viii.  7,  that  *'he  knows  his  season,"  so  he  knows  his 
times,  I  think  almost  his  day  of  coming  into  that  river  out  of 
the  sea;  where  he  lives,  and,  it  is  like,  feeds,  nine  months  of 
the  year,  and  fasts  three  in  the  river  of  Fordidge.  And  you  are 
to  note  that  those  townsmen  are  very  punctual  in  observing  the 
time  of  beginning  to  fish  for  them ;  and  boast  much  that  their 
river  affords  a  Trout  that  exceeds  all  others.  And  just  so  does 
Sussex  boast  of  several  fish  ;  as  namely,  a  -Shelsey  Cockle,  a  Chi- 
chester Lobster,  an  Arundel  Mullet,  and  an  Amerly  Trout. 

And  now  for  some  confirmation  of  the  Fordidge  Trout :  you 
are  to  know  that  this  Trout  is  thought  to  eat  nothing  in  the  fresh 
water;  and  it  may  be  the  better  believed,  because  it  is  well 
known  that  swallows  and  bats  and  wagtails,  which  are  called 
half-year  birds,  and  not  seen  to  fly  in  England  for  six  months 
in  the  year,  but  about  Michaelmas  leave  us  for  a  hotter  climate ; 
yet  some  of  them  that  have  been  left  behind  their  fellows  have 
been  found,  many  thousands  at  a  time,  in  hollow  trees,  or  clay 
caves,  where  they  have  been  observed  to  live  and  sleep  out  the 
whole  winter  without  meat.  And  so  Albertus  observes,  that 
there  is  one  kind  of  frog  that  hath  her  mouth  naturally  shut  up 
about  the  end  of  August,  and  that  she  lives  so  all  the  winter : 
and  though  it  be  strange  to  some,  yet  it  is  known  to  too  many 
among  us  to  be  doubted. 

And  so  much  for  these  Fordidge  Trouts,  which  never  afford 


90  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  (Part  t 

an  Angler  sport,  but  either  live  their  time  of  being  in  the  fresh 
water  by  their  meat  formerly  gotten  in  the  sea,  not  unlike  the 
swallow  or  frog,  or  by  the  virtue  of  the  fresh  water  only ;  or  as 
the  Bird  of  Paradise  and  the  Chameleon  are  said  to  live,  by  the 
sun  and  the  air. 

There  is  also  in  Northumberland  a  Trout  called  a  Bull-Trout, 
of  a  much  greater  length  and  bigness  than  any  in  these  southern 
parts :  and  there  are  in  many  rivers  that  relate  to  the  sea  Salmon- 
Trouts,  as  much  different  from  others,  both  in  shape  and  in  their 
spots,  as  we  see  sheep  in  some  countries  differ  one  from  another 
in  their  shape  and  bigness,  and  in  the  fineness  of  their  wool ; 
and  certainly,  as  some  pastures  breed  larger  sheep,  so  do  some 
rivers,  by  reason  of  the  ground  over  which  they  run,  breed 
larger  Trouts. 

Now  the  next  thing  that  I  will  commend  to  your  considera- 
tion is,  that  the  Trout  is  of  a  more  sudden  growth  than  other 
fish :  concerning  which  you  are  also  to  take  notice,  that  he  lives 
not  so  long  as  the  Perch  and  divers  other  fishes  do,  as  Sir  Francis 
Bacon  hath  observed  in  his  '*  History  of  Life  and  Death." 

And  next  you  are  to  take  notice,  that  he  is  not  like  the  Croc- 
odile, which,  if  he  lives  never  so  long,  yet  always  thrives  till 
his  death :  but 't  is  not  so  with  the  Trout ;  for  after  he  has  come 
to  his  full  growth,  he  declines  in  his  body,  and  keeps  his  big- 
ness or  thrives  only  in  his  head,  till  his  death.  And  you  are  to 
know,  that  he  will  about,  especially  before,  the  time  of  his 
spawning,  get  almost  miraculously  through  weirs  and  flood-gates 
against  the  streams  :  even  through  such  high  and  swift  places  as 
is  almost  incredible.  Next,  that  the  Trout  usually  spawns  about 
October  or  November,  but  in  some  rivers  a  little  sooner  or  later : 
which  is  the  more  observable,  because  most  other  fish  spawn  in 
the  spring  or  summer,  when  the  sun  hath  warmed  both  the  eaith 
and  water,  and  made  it  fit  for  generation.  And  you  are  to  note, 
that  he  continues  many  months  out  of  season  :  for  it  may  be  ob- 
served of  the  Trout,  that  he  is  like  the  Buck  or  the  Ox,  that 
will  not  be  fat  in  many  months,  though  he  go  in  the  very  same 


Chap.  IV.  J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  91 

pasture  that  horses  do,  which  will  be  fat  in  one  month ;  and  so 
you  may  observe,  that  most  other  fishes  recover  strength,  and 
grow  sooner  fat  and  in  season,  than  the  Trout  doth. 

And  next  you  are  to  note,  that  till  the  sun  gets  to  such  a 
height  as  to  warm  the  earth  and  the  water,  the  Trout  is  sick, 
and  lean,  and  lousy,  and  unwholesome :  for  you  shall  in  winter 
find  him  to  have  a  big  head,  and  then  to  be  lank,  and  thin,  and 
lean  :  at  which  time  many  of  them  have  sticking  on  them  Sugs, 
or  Trout-Hce,  which  is  a  kind  of  a  worm,  in  shape  Hke  a  clove 
or  pin,  with  a  big  head,  and  sticks  close  to  him  and  sucks  his 
moisture ;  those,  I  think,  the  Trout  breeds  himself,  and  never 
thrives  till  he  free  himself  from  them,  which  is  when  warm 
weather  comes ;  and  then,  as  he  grows  stronger,  he  gets  from 
the  dead  still  water  into  the  sharp  streams  and  the  gravel,  and 
there  rubs  off  these  worms  or  lice ;  and  then,  as  he  grows  stronger, 
so  he  gets  him  into  swifter  and  swifter  streams,  and  there  lies  at 
the  watch  for  any  fly  or  minnow  that  comes  near  to  him :  and 
he  especially  loves  the  May-fly,  which  is  bred  of  the  Cod-worm, 
or  Cadis  ;  and  these  make  the  Trout  bold  and  lusty,  and  he  is 
usually  fatter  and  better  meat  at  the  end  of  that  month  than  at 
any  time  of  the  year. 

Now  you  are  to  know,  that  it  is  observed  that  usually  the 
best  Trouts  are  either  red  or  yellow ;  though  some,  as  the  For- 
didge  Trout,  be  white  and  yet  good ;  but  that  is  not  usual : 
and  it  is  a  note  observable,  that  the  Female  Trout  hath  usually 
a  less  head  and  a  deeper  body  than  the  male  Trout,  and  is 
usually  the  better  meat.  And  note,  that  a  hog-back  and  a 
httle  head,  to  either  Trout,  Salmon,  or  any  other  fish,  is  a  sign 
that  that  fish  is  in  season. 

But  yet  you  are  to  note,  that  as  you  see  some  willows,  or 
palm-trees,  bud  and  blossom  sooner  than  others  do,  so  some 
Trouts  be  in  rivers  sooner  in  season :  and  as  some  hollies  or 
oaks  are  longer  before  they  cast  their  leaves,  so  are  some  Trouts 
in  rivers  longer  before  they  go  out  of  season. 

And  you  are  to  note,  that  there  are  several  kinds  of  Trouts ; 


92  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

but  these  several  kinds  are  not  considered  but  by  very  few  men, 
for  they  go  under  the  general  name  of  Trouts :  just  as  Pigeons 
do  in  most  places;  though  it  is  certain  there  are  tame  and 
wild  Pigeons  :  and  of  the  tame,  there  be  Helmits  and  Runts, 
and  Carriers  and  Cropers,  and  indeed  too  many  to  name. 
Nay,  the  Royal  Society  have  found  and  published  lately,  that 
there  be  thirty  and  three  kinds  of  Spiders  :  and  yet  all,  for 
aught  I  know,  go  under  that  one  general  name  of  Spider. 
And  't  is  so  with  many  kinds  of  fish,  and  of  Trouts  especially, 
which  differ  in  their  bigness,  and  shape,  and  spots,  and  color. 
The  great  Kentish  Hens  may  be  an  instance  compared  to  other 
hens  ;  and  doubtless  there  is  a  kind  of  small  Trout,  which  will 
never  thrive  to  be  big,  that  breeds  very  many  more  than  others 
do  that  be  of  a  larger  size  :  which  you  may  rather  believe,  if 
you  consider  that  the  little  Wren  or  Titmouse  will  have  twenty 
young  ones  at  a  time,  when  usually  the  noble  Hawk,  or  the 
musical  Thrassel  or  Blackbird,  exceed  not  four  or  five. 

And  now  you  shall  see  me  try  my  skill  to  catch  a  Trout,  and 
at  my  next  walking,  either  this  evening  or  to-morrow  morning, 
I  will  give  you  direction  how  you  yourself  shall  fish  for  him. 

Ven.  Trust  me.  Master,  I  see  now  it  is  a  harder  matter  to 
catch  a  Trout  than  a  Chub :  for  I  have  put  on  patience,  and 
followed  you  these  two  hours,  and  not  seen  a  fish  stir,  neither 
at  your  minnow  nor  your  worm. 

Pisc.  Well,  Scholar,  you  must  endure  worse  luck  some  time, 
or  you  will  never  make  a  good  Angler.  But  what  say  you 
now  ?  there  is  a  Trout  now,  and  a  good  one  too,  if  I  can  but 
hold  him,  and  two  or  three  turns  more  will  tire  him.  Now 
you  see  he  lies  still,  and  the  sleight  is  to  land  him  :  reach  me 
that  landing-net.  So,  Sir,  now  he  is  mine  own,  what  say  you 
now  ?  is  not  this  worth  all  my  labor  and  your  patience  ? 

Ven.  On  my  word,  Master,  this  is  a  gallant  Trout ;  what 
shall  we  do  with  him  ? 

Pisc.  Marry,  e'en  eat  him  to  supper :  we  '11  go  to  my  Host- 
ess, from  whence  we  came  :  she  told  me,  as  I  was  going  out  of 


Chap.  IV.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  93 

door,  that  my  brother  Peter,  a  good  Angler  and  a  cheerful 
companion,  had  sent  word  he  would  lodge  there  to-night,  and 
bring  a  friend  with  him.  My  Hostess  has  two  beds,  and  I 
know  you  and  I  may  have  the  best :  we  '11  rejoice  with  my 
brother  Peter  and  his  friend,  tell  tales,  or  sing  ballads,  or  make 
a  catch,  or  find  some  harmless  sport  to  content  us,  and  pass 
away  a  little  time  without  offence  to  God  or  man. 

Ven.  a  match,  good  Master  :  let 's  go  to  that  house,  for  the 
linen  looks  white,  and  smells  of  lavender,  and  I  long  to  lie  in  a 
pair  of  sheets  that  smell  so.  Let 's  be  going,  good  Master,  for 
I  am  hungry  again  with  fishing. 

Pisc.  Nay,  stay  a  little,  good  Scholar :  I  caught  my  last 
Trout  with  a  worm ;  now  I  will  put  on  a  minnow  and  try  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  about  yonder  trees  for  another,  and  so  walk 
towards  our  lodging.  Look  you,  Scholar,  thereabout  we  shall 
^ave  a  bite  presently,  or  not  at  all.  Have  with  you.  Sir  !  o' 
my  word,  I  have  hold  of  him.  Oh !  it  is  a  great  logger- 
headed  Chub;  come,  hang  him  upon  that  willow-twig,  and 
let 's  be  going.  But  turn  out  of  the  way  a  little,  good  Scholar, 
towards  yonder  high  honeysuckle  hedge;  there  we  '11  sit  and 
sing  whilst  this  shower  falls  so  gently  upon  the  teeming  earth, 
and  gives  yet  a  sweeter  smell  to  the  lovely  flowers  that  adorn 
these  verdant  meadows. 

Look,  under  that  broad  beech-tree  I  sat  down,  when  I  was 
last  this  way  a-fishing,  and  the  birds  in  the  adjoining  grove 
seemed  to  have  a  friendly  contention  with  an  echo,  whose  dead 
voice  seemed  to  live  in  a  hollow  tree,  near  to  the  brow  of  that 
primrose  hill ;  there  I  sat  viewing  the  silver  streams  glide  si- 
lently towards  their  centre,  the  tempestuous  sea;  yet  some- 
times opposed  by  rugged  roots,  and  pebble-stones,  which  broke 
their  waves,  and  turned  them  into  foam :  and  sometimes  I 
beguiled  time  by  viewing  the  harmless  lambs,  some  leaping 
securely  in  the  cool  shade,  whilst  others  sported  themselves  in 
the  cheerful  sun  ;  and  saw  others  craving  comfort  from  the 
swollen  udders  of  their  bleating  dams.     As  I  thus  sat,  these 


94  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

and  other  sights  had  so  fully  possessed  my  soul  with  content, 
that  I  thought,  as  the  poet  has  happily  expressed  it, 

"  I  was  for  that  time  lifted  above  earth, 
And  possessed  joys  not  promised  in  my  birth." 

As  I  left  this  place,  and  entered  into  the  next  field,  a  second 
pleasure  entertained  me ;  't  was  a  handsome  Milkmaid  that  had 
not  yet  attained  so  much  age  and  wisdom  as  to  load  her  mind 
with  any  fears  of  many  things  that  will  never  be,  as  too  many 
men  too  often  do ;  but  she  cast  away  all  care,  and  sung  like  a 
nightingale.  Her  voice  was  good,  and  the  ditty  fitted  for  it ; 
't  was  that  smooth  song,  which  was  made  by  Kit  Marlowe, 
now  at  least  fifty  years  ago :  and  the  Milkmaid's  mother  sung 
an  answer  to  it,  which  was  made  by  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  in  his 
younger  days. 

They  were  old-fashioned  poetry,  but  choicely  good,  I  think 
much  better  than  the  strong  lines  that  are  now  in  fashion  in 
this  critical  age.  Look  yonder  !  on  my  word,  yonder  they 
both  be  a-milking  again.  I  will  give  her  the  Chub,  and  per- 
suade them  to  sing  those  two  songs  to  us. 

God  speed  you,  good  woman  !  I  have  been  a-fishing,  and 
am  going  to  Bleak  Hall  to  my  bed ;  and  having  caught  more 
fish  than  will  sup  myself  and  my  friend,  I  will  bestow  this  upon 
you  and  your  daughter,  for  I  use  to  sell  none. 

MiLK-w.  Marry,  God  requite  you  !  Sir,  and  we  '11  eat  it 
cheerfully  ;  and  if  you  come  this  way  a-fishing  two  months 
hence,  a-grace  of  God  I  '11  give  you  a  syllabub  of  new  verjuice 
in  a  new-made  hay-cock  for  it,  and  my  Maudlin  shall  sing  you 
one  of  her  best  ballads ;  for  she  and  I  both  love  ali  Anglers, 
they  be  such  honest,  civil,  quiet  men.  In  the  mean  time  will 
you  drink  a  draught  of  red  cow's  milk?  you  shall  have  it 
freely. 

Pisc.  No,  I  thank  you ;  but  I  pray  do  us  a  courtesy  that 
shall  stand  you  and  your  daughter  in  nothing,  and  yet  we  will 
think  our  ourselves  still  something  in  your  debt :  it  is  but  to 


Chap.  JV.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  g%. 

sing  lis  a  song  that  was  sung  by  your  daughter  when  I  last 
passed  over  this  meadow,  about  eight  or  nine  days  since. 

MiLK-w.  What  song  was  it,  I  pray?  Was  it  ''  Come,  Shep- 
herds, deck  your  herds  "  ?  or,  ''  As  at  noon  Dulcina  rested  "  ? 
or  ''Philida  flouts  me  "  ?  or  Chevy  Chace?  or  Johnny  Arm- 
strong ?  or  Troy  Town  ? 

Pisc.  No,  it  is  none  of  those :  it  is  a  song  that  your  daugh- 
ter sung  the  first  part,  and  you  sung  the  answer  to  it. 

MiLK-w.  O,  I  know  it  now ;  I  learned  the  first  part  in  my 
golden  age,  when  I  was  about  the  age  of  my  poor  daughter ; 
and  the  latter  part,  which  indeed  fits  me  best  now,  but  two  or 
three  years  ago,  when  the  cares  of  the  world  began  to  take 
hold  of  me :  but  you  shall,  God  willing,  hear  them  both,  and 
sung  as  well  as  we  can,  for  we  both  love  Anglers.  Come, 
Maudlin,  sing  the  first  part  to  the  gentlemen  with  a  merrj 
heart,  and  I'll  sing  the  second,  when  you  have  done. 

"THE   milk-maid's    SONG. 

•'Come,  live  with  me,  and  be  my  love. 
And  we  will  all  the  pleasure,  prove 
That  valleys,  groves,  or  hills,  or  field, 
Or  woods  and  steepy  mountains  yield,— 

"Where  we  will  sit  upon  the  rocks, 
And  see  the  shepherds  feed  our  flocks^ 
By  shallow  rivers,  to  whose  falls 
Melodious  birds  sing  madrigals. 

•*  And  I  will  make  thee  beds  of  roses, 
And  then  a  thousand  fragrant  posies  ; 
A  cap  of  flowers,  and  a  kirtle 
Embroidered  all  with  leaves  of  myrtle^ 

**A  gown  made  of  the  finest  wool, 
Which  from  our  pretty  lambs  we  pull ; 
Slippers  lined  choicely  for  the  cold. 
With  buckles  of  the  purest  gold  ; 


96  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

"  A  belt  of  straw,  and  ivy-buds, 
With  coral  clasps  and  amber  studs  ;— 
And  if  these  pleasures  may  thee  move, 
Come,  live  with  me,  and  be  my  love. 

•*  Thy  silver  dishes  for  thy  meat, 
As  precious  as  the  Gods  do  eat. 
Shall  on  an  ivory  table  be 
Prepared  each  day  for  thee  and  me. 

•'  The  shepherd  swains  shall  dance  and  sing 
For  thy  delight  each  May  morning : 
If  these  delights  thy  mind  may  move, 
Then  live  with  me,  and  be  my  love. " 

Ven.  Trust  me,  Master,  it  is  a  choice  song,  and  sweetly 
sung  by  honest  Maudlin.  I  now  see  it  was  not  without  cause 
that  our  good  Queen  EHzabeth  did  so  often  wish  herself  a 
Milkmaid  all  the  month  of  May,  because  they  are  not  troubled 
with  fears  and  cares,  but  sing  sweetly  all  the  day,  and  sleep 
securely  all  the  night :  and,  without  doubt,  honest,  innocent, 
pretty  Maudlin  does  so.  I  '11  bestow  Sir  Thomas  Over  bury 's 
Milkmaid's  wish  upon  her, — **  that  she  may  die  in  the  Spring; 
and,  being  dead,  may  have  good  store  of  flowers  stuck  round 
about  her  winding-sheet." 

"THE   milk-maid's   MOTHER's   ANSWER. 

•*  If  all  the  world  and  love  were  young, 
And  truth  in  every  shepherd*  s  tongue, 
These  pretty  pleasures  might  me  move 
To  live  with  thee,  and  be  thy  love. 

**  But  time  drives  flocks  from  field  to  fold  i 
When  rivers  rage,  and  rocks  grow  cold. 
Then  Philomel  becometh  dumb, 
And  age  complains  of  cares  to  come. 

•*  The  flowers  do  fade,  and  wanton  fields 
To  wayward  Winter  reckoning  yields  ; 
A  honey  tongue,  a  heart  of  gall, 
1$  fancy's  spring,  but  sorrow's  fall. 


T^HAP.  IV.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  97 

**  Thy  gowns,  thy  shoes,  thy  beds  of  roses, 
Thy  cap,  thy  kirtle,  and  thy  posies, 
Soon  break,  soon  wither,  soon  forgotten  ; 
In  folly  ripe,  in  reason  rotten. 

"  Thy  belt  of  straw,  and  ivy-buds, 
Thy  coral  clasps  and  amber  studs, 
All  these  in  me  no  means  can  move 
To  come  to  thee,  and  be  thy  Love. 

**  What  should  we  talk  of  dainties  then. 
Of  better  meat  than  's  fit  for  men  ? 
These  are  but  vain  :  that  's  only  good 
Which  God  hath  blest,  and  sent  for  food. 

*'  But  could  youth  last,  and  love  still  breed. 
Had  joys  no  date,  nor  age  no  need, — 
Then  those  delights  my  mind  might  move. 
To  live  with  thee,  and  be  thy  love." 

Mother.  Well,  I  have  done  my  song.  But  stay,  honest 
Anglers,  for  I  will  make  Maudlin  to  sing  you  one  short  song 
more.  Maudlin,  sing  that  song  that  you  sung  last  night,  when 
young  Coridon  the  Shepherd  played  so  purely  on  his  oaten 
pipe  to  you  and  your  Cousin  Retty. 

Maud.  I  will.  Mother. 

**  I  married  a  wife  of  late, 
The  more's  my  unhappy  fate  t 

I  married  her  for  love, 

As  my  fancy  did  me  move. 
And  not  for  a  worldly  estate  t 

•*  But  oh  !  the  green-sickness 
Soon  changed  her  likeness, 
And  all  her  beauty  did  fail. 
But  't  is  not  so 
With  those  that  go, 
Through  frost  and  snow. 
As  all  men  know, 
And  carry  the  milking-pail," 


93  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IPart  I. 

Pisc.  Well  sung !  Good  woman,  I  thank  you.  I  '11  give  you 
another  dish  of  fish  one  of  these  days ;  and  then  beg  another 
song  of  you.  Come,  Scholar,  let  Maudlin  alone  :  do  not  you 
offer  to  spoil  her  voice.  Look  !  yonder  comes  mine  Hostess,  to 
call  us  to  supper.     How  now  !  is  my  brother  Peter  come  ? 

Host.  Yes,  and  a  friend  with  him ;  they  are  both  glad  to 
hear  that  you  are  in  these  parts,  and  long  to  see  you,  and  long 
to  be  at  supper,  for  they  be  very  hungry. 


THE  THIRD  AND  FOURTH  DAYS, 


Chap.  V. — More  Directions  how  to  Jish  for,  and  how  to  ?nake/or 
the  Trout  an  Artificial  Minnow  and  Flies,  with  some 
Merri?nent. 

PiSCATOR. 

\  1  7ELL  met,  Brother  Peter !  I  heard  you  and  a  friend 
'  "  would  lodge  here  to-night,  and  that  hath  made  me  to 
bring  my  friend  to  lodge  here  too.  My  friend  is  one  that 
would  fain  be  a  Brother  of  the  Angle :  he  hath  been  an  Angler 
but  this  day,  and  I  have  taught  him  how  to  catch  a  Chub  by 
daping  with  a  grasshopper;  and  the  Chub  he  caught  was  a 
lusty  one  of  nineteen  inches  long.  But  pray.  Brother  Peter, 
who  is  your  companion  ? 

Peter.  Brother  Piscator,  my  friend  is  an  honest  Country- 
man, and  his  name  is  Coridon,  and  he  is  a  downright  witty 
companion,  that  met  me  here  purposely  to  be  pleasant  and  eat 
a  Trout ;  and  I  have  not  yet  wetted  my  line  since  we  met  to- 
gether :  but  I  hope  to  fit  him  with  a  Trout  for  his  breakfast, 
for  I  '11  be  early  up. 

Pisc.  Nay,  brother,  you  shall  not  stay  so  long :  for,  look 
vou  I  here  is  a  Trout  will  fix  six  reasonable  bellies. 


Come,  Hostess,  dress  it  presently,  and  get  us  what  other 
meat  the  house  will  afford,  and  give  vs  ^.tie  of  your  best  bar- 


lOO  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

ley- wine,  the  good  liquor  that  our  honest  forefathers  did  use  to 
drink  of;  the  drink  which  preserved  their  health,  and  made 
them  live  so  long,  and  to  do  so  many  good  deeds. 

Peter.  O'  my  word,  this  Trout  is  perfect  in  season.  Come, 
I  thank  you,  and  here  is  a  hearty  draught  to  you,  and  to  all 
the  Brothers  of  the  Angle  wheresoever  they  be,  and  to  my 
young  brother's  good  fortune  to-morrow.  I  will  furnish  him 
with  a  rod,  if  you  will  furnish  him  with  the  rest  of  the  tack- 
ling ;  we  will  set  him  up  and  make  him  a  fisher.  And  I  will 
tell  him  one  thing  for  his  encouragement,  that  his  fortune  hath 
^ade  him  happy  to  be  scholar  to  such  a  master ;  a  master  that 
knows  as  much  both  of  the  nature  and  breeding  of  fish  as  any 
man :  and  can  also  tell  him  as  well  how  to  catch  and  cook 
them,  from  the  Minnow  to  the  Salmon,  as  any  that  I  ever  met 
withal. 

Pisc.  Trust  me,  Brother  Peter,  I  find  my  Scholar  to  be  so 
suitable  to  my  own  humor,  which  is  to  be  free,  and  pleasant, 
and  civilly  merry,  that  my  resolution  is  to  hide  nothing  that  I 
know  from  him.  Believe  me.  Scholar,  this  is  my  resolution ; 
and  so  here's  to  you  a  hearty  draught,  and  to  all  that  love  us, 
and  the  honest  art  of  Angling. 

Ven.  Trust  me,  good  Master,  you  shall  not  sow  your  seed 
in  barren  ground ;  for  I  hope  to  return  you  an  increase  answer- 
able to  your  hopes  :  but,  however,  you  shall  find  me  obedient, 
and  thankful,  and  serviceable  to  my  best  ability. 

Pisc.  'T  is  enough,  honest  Scholar:  come,  let  's  to  supper. 
Come,  my  friend  Coridon,  this  Trout  looks  lovely;  it  was 
twenty-two  inches  when  it  was  taken ;  and  the  belly  of  it 
looked,  some  part  of  it  as  yellow  as  a  marigold,  and  part  of  it 
as  white  as  a  Illy ;  and  yet  methinks  it  looks  better  in  this 
good  sauce. 

Coridon.  Indeed,  honest  friend,  it  looks  well,  and  tastes 
well :  I  thank  you  for  it,  and  so  doth  my  friend  Peter,  or  else 
he  is  to  blame. 

Pet.  Yes,  and  lo  ;]  <2^  j  we  all  thank  you,  and  when  we  have 


Chap.  V.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  lOI 

supped,  I  will  get  my  friend  Coridon  to  sing  you  a  song  for  re- 
quital. 

Cor.  I  will  sing  a  song,  if  anybody  will  sing  another ;  else, 
to  be  plain  with  you,  I  will  sing  none :  I  am  none  of  those  that 
sing  for  meat,  but  for  company;  I  say,  *'  'T  is  merry  in  hall, 
when  men  sing  all." 

Pisc.  I  '11  promise  you  I  '11  sing  a  song  that  was  lately  made, 
at  my  request,  by  Mr.  William  Basse,  one  that  hath  made  the 
choice  songs  of  the  "Hunter  in  his  career,"  and  of  "Tom 
of  Bedlam,"  and  many  others  of  note;  and  this  that  I  will 
sing  is  in  praise  of  Angling. 

Cor.  And  then  mine  shall  be  the  praise  of  a  countryman's 
life.     What  will  the  rest  sing  of? 

Pet.  I  will  promise  you,  I  will  sing  another  song  in  praise 
of  Angling  to-morrow  night ;  for  we  will  not  part  till  then ; 
but  fish  to-morrow,  and  sup  together,  and  the  next  day  every 
man  leave  fishing,  and  fall  to  his  business. 

Ven.  'T  is  a  match  ;  and  I  will  provide  you  a  song  or  a  catch 
against  then,  too,  which  shall  give  some  addition  of  mirth  to 
the  company  ;  for  we  will  be  civil,  and  as  merry  as  beggars. 

Pisc.  'T  is  a  match,  my  masters.  Let 's  even  say  grace,  and 
turn  to  the  fire,  drink  the  other  cup  to  wet  our  whistles,  and 
so  sing  away  all  sad  thoughts. 

Come  on,  my  masters,  who  begins  ?  I  think  it  is  best  to 
draw  cuts,  and  avoid  contention. 

Pet.  It  is  a  match.    Look,  the  shortest  cut  falls  to  Coridon. 

Cor.  Well,  then,  I  will  begin,  for  I  hate  contention. 

CORIDON 'S   SONG. 

•*0  the  sweet  contentment 
The  countryman  doth  find  I 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loc. 

Heigh  trolollie'lee, 
That  quiet  contemplation 
?ossesseth  all  my  mind :  .    ^ 

Then  care  away,  .  •:*^ 

And  wend  along  with  mc,  ;^' 


I02  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  1. 

**  For  courts  are  full  of  flattery, 
As  hath  too  oft  been  tried  ; 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc. 
The  city  full  of  wantonness, 
And  both  are  full  of  pride  : 

Then  care  away,  etc. 

*'  But  oh  !  the  honest  countryman 
Speaks  truly  from  his  heart, 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc. 
His  pride  is  in  his  tillage. 
His  horses,  and  his  cart : 

Then  care  away,  etc. 

**  Our  clothing  is  good  sheep-skins, 
Gray  russet  for  our  wives, 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc. 
'T  is  warmth,  and  not  gay  clothing. 
That  doth  prolong  our  lives  : 

Then  care  away,  etc. 

••  The  ploughman,  though  he  labor  harc^ 
Yet  on  the  holiday, 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc 
No  emperor  so  merrily 
Does  pass  his  time  away  : 

Then  care  away,  etc 

•*  To  recompense  our  tillage, 
The  heavens  afford  us  showers ; 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc 
And  for  our  sweet  refreshments 
The  earth  affords  us  bowers  : 

Then  care  away,  etc. 

**The  cuckoo  and  the  nightingale 
Full  merrily  do  sing, 

Heigh  trolollie  lollie  loe,  etc 
And  with,  their  pleasant  roundelays 
Bid  welcome  to  the  spring  : 

Then  care  away,  etc 

••This  is  not  half  the  happiness 
The  countryman  enjoys  ; 

.  fleigh  trolollie  Idllie  loe,  etc 


Chap.  V.l  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IO3 

Though  others  think  they  have  as  much. 
Yet  he  that  says  so  lies : 

Then  come  away,  turn 

Countryman  with  me.** 

Jo.  Chalkhilu 


Pisc.  Well  sung  !  Coridon,  this  song  was  sung  with  mettle ; 
and  it  was  choicely  fitted  to  the  occasion :  I  shall  love  you  for 
it  as  long  as  I  know  you.  I  would  you  were  a  Brother  of  the 
Angle,  for  a  companion  that  is  cheerful,  and  free  from  swear- 
ing and  scurrilous  discourse,  is  worth  gold.  I  love  such  mirth 
as  does  not  make  friends  ashamed  to  look  upon  one  another 
next  morning ;  nor  men,  that  cannot  well  bear  it,  to  repent 
the  money  they  spend  when  they  be  warmed  with  drink.  And 
take  this  for  a  rule,  you  may  pick  out  such  times  and  such  com- 
panies, that  you  may  make  yourselves  merrier  for  a  little  than 
a  great  deal  of  money;  for  **  'T  is  the  company  and  not  the 
charge  that  makes  the  feast ' ' ;  and  such  a  companion  you 
prove ;  I  thank  you  for  it. 

But  I  will  not  compliment  you  out  of  the  debt  that  I  owe 
you,  and  therefore  I  will  begin  my  song,  and  wish  it  may  be 
so  well  Uked. 

THE    ANGLER*S    SONG. 

*'  As  inward  love  breeds  outward  talk, 
1  he  hound  some  praise,  and  some  the  hawk  t 
Some,  better  pleased  with  private  sport, 
Use  tennis,  some  a  mistress  court : 

But  these  delights  I  neither  wish, 

Nor  envy,  while  I  freely  fish. 

**  Who  hunts,  doth  oft  in  danger  ride  ; 
Who  hawks,  lures  oft  both  far  and  wide  : 
Who  uses  games  shall  often  prove 
^         A  loser  ;  but  who  falls  in  love 

Is  fettered  in  fond  Cupid's  snare  : 
My  angle  breeds  me  no  such  care. 


104  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [pA»t  t 

•*  Of  recreation  there  is  none 
So  free  as  Fishing  is  alone  ; 
All  other  pastimes  do  no  less 
Than  mind  and  body  both  possess  t 
My  hand  alone  my  work  can  do^ 
So  I  can  fish  and  study  too, 

**  I  care  not,  I,  to  fish  in  seas ; 
Fresh  rivers  best  my  mind  do  please, 
Whose  sweet  calm  course  I  contemplate 
And  seek  in  life  to  imitate  : 

In  civil  bounds  I  fain  would  keep, 
•  And  for  my  past  offences  weep. 

•*  And  when  the  timorous  Trout  I  wait 

To  take,  and  he  devours  my  bait, 

How  poor  a  thing  sometimes  I  find 

Will  captivate  a  greedy  mind  1 

And  when  none  bite,  I  praise  the  wis^ 
Whom  vain  allurements  ne*er  surprise* 

•*  But  yet,  though  while  I  fish  I  fast, 
I  make  good  fortune  my  repast ; 
And  thereunto  my  friend  invite, 
In  whom  I  more  than  that  delight : 

Who  is  more  welcome  to  my  dish. 

Than  to  my  angle  was  my  fish. 

•*  As  well  content  no  prize  to  take, 

As  use  of  taken  prize  to  make  : 

For  so  our  Lord  was  pleased  when 

He  fishers  made  fishers  of  men  : 

Where,  which  is  in  no  other  game, 
A  man  may  fish  and  praise  his  name. 

•'  The  first  men  that  our  Saviour  dear 

Did  choose  to  wait  upon  him  here 

Blest  fishers  were,  and  fish  the  last 

Food  was  that  he  on  earth  did  taste  .- 
I  therefore  strive  to  follow  those 
Whom  he  to  follow  him  hath  chose." 

Cor.  Well  sung,  Brother  !  you  have  paid  your  debt  in  good 
coin.     We  Anglers  are  all  beholden  to  the  good  man  that  made 


Chap.V.)       the  complete  ANGLER.  loj 

this  song.  Come,  Hostess,  give  us  more  ale,  and  let 's  drink  to 
him. 

And  now  let  's  every  one  go  to  bed  that  we  may  rise  early : 
but  first  let  *s  pay  our  reckoning,  for  I  will  have  nothing  to 
hinder  me  in  the  morning ;  for  my  purpose  is  to  prevent  the  sun 
rising. 

Pet.  a  match.  Come,  Coridon,  you  are  to  be  my  bed- 
fellow :  I  know,  Brother,  you  and  your  Scholar  will  lie  together. 
But  where  shall  we  meet  to-morrow  night  ?  for  my  friend  Cori- 
don and  I  will  go  up  the  water  towards  Ware. 

Pisc.  And  my  Scholar  and  I  will  go  down  towards  Waltham. 
.  Cor.  Then  let 's  meet  here,  for  here  are  fresh  sheets  that  smell 
of  lavender ;  and  I  am  sure  we  cannot  expect  better  meat  or 
better  usage  in  any  place. 

Pet.   'T  is  a  match.     Good  night  to  everybody  I 

Pisc.  And  so  say  L 

Ven.  And  so  say  L 

THE  FOURTH  DAY. 

Pisc.  Good  morrow,  good  Hostess !  I  see  my  Brother  Peter 
is  still  in  bed  :  come,  give  my  Scholar  and  me  a  morning  drink, 
and  a  bit  of  meat  to  breakfast,  and  be  sure  to  get  a  good  dish 
of  meat  or  two  against  supper,  for  we  shall  come  home  as  hungry 
as  hawks.     Come,  Scholar,  let  *s  be  going. 

Ven.  Well  now,  good  Master,  as  we  walk  towards  the  river 
give  me  direction,  according  to  your  promise,  how  I  shall  fish 
for  a  Trout. 

Pisc.  My  honest  Scholar,  I  will  take  this  very  convenient  op- 
portunity to  do  it. 

The  Trout  is  usually  caught  with  a  worm  or  a  minnow,  which 
some  call  a  Penk,  or  with  a  fly,  viz.  either  a  natural  or  an  arti- 
ficial fly  :  concerning  which  three  I  will  give  you  some  observa- 
tions and  directions. 

And,  first,  for  worms:  of  these  there  be  very  many  sorts; 


I06  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

some  breed  only  in  the  earth,  as  the  Earth-worm ;  others  of  or 
amongst  plants,  as  the  Dug-worm ;  and  others  breed  either  out 
of  excrements,  or  in  the  bodies  of  Hving  creatures,  as  in  the 
horns  of  sheep  or  deer ;  or  some  of  dead  flesh,  as  the  maggot  or 
gentle,  and  others. 

Now  these  be  most  of  them  particularly  good  for  particular 
fishes :  but  for  the  Trout,  the  Dew-worm,  which  some  also  call 
the  Lob-worm,  and  the  Brandling,  are  the  chief;  and  especially 
the  first  for  a  great  Trout,  and  the  latter  for  a  less.  There  be 
also  of  Lob-worms  some  called  Squirrel-tails,  a  worm  that  has 
a  red  head,  a  streak  down  the  back,  and  a  broad  tail,  which  are 
noted  to  be  the  best,  because  they  are  the  toughest  and  most 
lively,  and  live  longest  in  the  water :  for  you  are  to  know,  that 
a  dead  worm  is  but  a  dead  bait,  and  like  to  catch  nothing,  com 
pared  to  a  lively,  quick,  stirring  worm.  And  for  a  Brandling, 
he  is  usually  found  in  an  old  dunghill,  or  some  very  rotten  place 
near  to  it :  but  most  usually  in  cow-dung,  or  hog's  dung,  rather 
than  horse-dung,  which  is  somewhat  too  hot  and  dry  "for  that 
worm.  But  the  best  of  them  are  to  be  found  in  the  bark  of  the 
tanners,  which  they  cast  up  in  heaps  after  they  have  used  it 
about  their  leather. 

There  are  also  divers  other  kinds  of  w^orms,  which  for  color 
and  shape  alter  even  as  the  ground  out  of  which  they  are  got ; 
as  the  Marsh-worm,  the  Tag-tail,  the  Flag-worm,  the  Dock- 
worm,  the  Oak-worm,  the  Gilt-tail,  the  Twachel  or  Lob-worm, 
which  of  all  others  is  the  most  excellent  bait  for  a  Salmon,  and 
too  many  to  name,  even  as  many  sorts  as  some  think  there  be 
of  several  herbs  or  shrubs,  or  of  several  kinds  of  birds  in  the  air : 
of  which  I  shall  say  no  more,  but  tell  you,  that  what  worms 
soever  you  fish  with  are  the  better  for  being  well  scoured,  that 
is,  long  kept  before  they  be  used  :  and  in  case  you  have  not  been 
so  provident,  then  the  way  to  cleanse  and  scour  them  quickly 
is  to  put  them  all  night  in  water,  if  they  be  Lob-worms,  and 
then  put  them  into  your  bag  with  fennel ;  but  you  must  not  put 
your  Brandlings  above  an  hour  in  water,  and  then  put  them  into 


Chap,  v.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  10? 

fennel  for  sudden  use ;  but  if  you  have  time,  and  purpose  to 
keep  them  long,  then  they  be  best  preserved  in  an  earthen  pot 
with  good  store  of  moss,  which  is  to  be  fresh  every  three  or  four 
days  in  summer,  and  every  week  or  eight  days  in  winter ;  or  at 
least  the  moss  taken  from  them,  and  clean  washed,  and  wrung 
betwixt  your  hands  till  it  be  dry,  and  then  put  it  to  them  again. 
And  when  your  worms,  especially  the  Brandling,  begins  to  be 
sick  and  lose  of  his  bigness,  then  you  may  recover  him  by  put- 
ting a  little  milk  or  cream,  about  a  spoonful  in  a  day,  into  them 
by  drops  on  the  moss ;  and  if  there  be  added  to  the  cream  an 
egg  beaten  and  boiled  in  it,  then  it  will  both  fatten  and  pre- 
serve them  long.  And  note,  that  when  the  knot,  which  is  near 
to  the  middle  of  the  BrandUng,  begins  to  swell,  then  he  is  sick, 
and,  if  he  be  not  well  looked  to,  is  near  dying.  And  for  moss 
you  are  to  note,  that  there  be  divers  kinds  of  it,  which  I  could 
name  to  you,  but  will  only  tell  you  that  that  which  is  likest  a 
buck's  horn  is  the  best,  except  it  be  soft  white  moss,  which 
grows  on  some  heaths,  and  is  hard  to  be  found.  And  note,  that 
in  a  very  dry  time,  when  you  are  put  to  an  extremity  for  worms, 
walnut-tree  leaves  squeezed  into  water,  or  salt  in  water,  to  make 
it  bitter  or  salt,  and  then  that  water  poured  on  the  gKOund 
where  you  shall  see  worms  are  used  to  rise  in  the  night,  will 
make  them  to  appear  above  ground  presently.  And  you  may 
take  notice,  some  say  that  camphor  put  into  your  bag  with  your 
moss  and  worms  gives  them  a  strong  and  so  tempting  a  smell, 
that  the  fish  fare  the  worse  and  you  the  better  for  it. 

And  now  I  shall  show  you  how  to  bait  your  hook  with  a 
worm,  so  as  shall  prevent  you  from  much  trouble,  and  the  loss 
of  many  a  hook  too,  when  you  fish  for  a  Trout  with  a  running- 
line  ;  that  is  to  say,  when  you  fish  for  him  by  hand  at  the 
ground.  I  will  direct  you  in  this  as  plainly  as  I  can,,  that  you 
may  not  mistake. 

Suppose  it  be  a  big  Lob- worm ;  put  your  hook  into  him 
somewhat  above  the  middle,  and  out  again  a  little  below  the 
middle  :  having  so  done,  draw  your  worm  above  the  arming  of 


1(58  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [PAtT  L 

your  hook;  but  note,  that  at  the  entering  of  your  hook  il 
must  not  be  at  the  head-end  of  the  worm,  but  at  the  tail-end 
of  him,  that  the  point  of  your  hook  may  come  out  toward  the 
head-end,  and  having  drawn  him  above  the  arming  of  your 
hook,  then  put  the  point  of  your  hook  again  into  the  very  head 
of  the  worm,  till  it  come  near  to  the  place  where  the  point  of 
the  hook  first  came  out :  and  then  draw  back  that  part  of  the 
worm  that  was  above  the  shank  or  arming  of  your  hook,  and 
so  fish  with  it.  And  if  you  mean  to  fish  with  two  worms,  then 
put  the  second  on  before  you  turn  back  the  hook's  head  of 
the  first  worm.  You  cannot  lose  above  two  or  three  worms 
before  you  attain  to  what  I  direct  you  ;  and  having  attained  it, 
you  will  find  it  very  useful,  and  thank  me  for  it,  for  you  will 
run  on  the  ground  without  tangling. 

Now  for  the  Minnow  or  Penk;  he  is  not  easily  found  and 
caught  till  March,  or  in  April,  for  then  he  appears  first  in  the 
river ;  Nature  having  taught  him  to  shelter  and  hide  himself  in 
the  winter  in  ditches  that  be  near  to  the  river,  and  there  both  to 
hide  and  keep  himself  warm  in  the  mud  or  in  the  weeds,  which 
rot  not  so  soon  as  in  a  running  river,  in  which  place  if  he  were 
in  winter,  the  distempered  floods  that  are  usually  in  that 
season  would  suffer  him  to  take  no  rest,  but  carry  him  head- 
long to  mills  and  weirs,  to  his  confusion.  And  of  these  Min- 
nows, first  you  are  to  know,  that  the  biggest  size  is  not  the 
best ;  and  next,  that  the  middle  size  and  the  whitest  are 
the  best :  and  then  you  are  to  know,  that  your  Minnow  must 
be  so  put  on  your  hook,  that  it  must  turn  round  when  't  is 
drawn  against  the  stream,  and  that  it  may  turn  nimbly,  you 
must  put  it  on  a  big-sized  hook  as  I  shall  now  direct  you, 
which  is  thus.  Put  your  hook  in  at  his  mouth  and  out  at  his 
gill;  then, ♦having  drawn  your  hook  two  or  three  inches  be- 
yond or  through  his  gill,  put  it  again  into  his  mouth,  and 
the  point  and  beard  out  at  his  tail ;  and  then  tie  the  hook 
and  his  tail  about  very  neatly  with  a  white  thread,  which  will 
make  it  the  apter  to  turn  quick  in  the  water :  that  done,  pull 


Chap.  V.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IO9 

back  that  part  of  your  line  which  was  slack  when  you  did  put 
your  hook  into  the  Minnow  the  second  time ;  I  say,  pull  that, 
part  of  your  line  back  so  that  it  shall  fasten  the  head  so  that 
the  body  of  the  Minnow  shall  be  almost  straight  on  your  hook ; 
this  done,  try  how  it  will  turn  by  drawing  it  across  the  water 
or  against  a  stream ;  and  if  it  do  not  turn  nimbly,  then  turn 
the  tail  a  little  to  the  right  or  left  hand,  and  try  again,  till 
it  turn  quick ;  for  if  not,  you  are  in  danger  to  catch  nothing ; 
for  know,  that  it  is  impossible  that  it  should  turn  too  quick. 
And  you  are  yet  to  know,  that  in  case  you  want  a  Minnow, 
then  a  small  Loach  or  a  Stickle-bag,  or  any  other  small  fish  that 
will  turn  quick,  will  serve  as  well.  And  you  are  yet  to  know, 
that  you  may  salt  them,  and  by  that  means  keep  them  ready 
and  fit  for  use  three  or  four  days,  or  longer ;  and  that  of  salt, 
bay-salt  is  the  best. 

And  here  let  me  tell  you,  what  many  old  Anglers  know  right 
well,  that  at  some  times,  and  in  some  waters,  a  Minnow  is  not 
to  be  got,  and  therefore  let  me  tell  you,  I  have — which  I  will 
show  to  you — an  artificial  Minnow,  that  will  catch  a  Trout  as 
well  as  an  artificial  fly ;  and  it  was  made  by  a  handsome 
woman,  that  had  a  fine  hand,  and  a  live  Minnow  lying  by  her : 
the  mould  or  body  of  the  Minnow  was  cloth,  and  wrought 
upon  or  over  it  thus  with  a  needle ;  the  back  of  it  with  very  sad 
French  green  silk,  and  paler  green  silk  towards  the  belly,  shad- 
owed as  perfectly  as  you  can  imagine,  just  as  you  see  a  Min- 
now ;  the  belly  was  wrought  also  with  a  needle,  and  it  was  a 
part  of  it  white  silk,  and  another  part  of  it  with  silver  thread  : 
the  tail  and  fins  were  of  a  quill,  which  was  shaven  thin ;  the 
eyes  were  of  two  little  black  beads,  and  the  head  was  so  shad- 
owed, and  all  of  it  so  curiously  wrought,  and  so  exactly  dis- 
sembled, that  it  would  beguile  any  sharp-sighted  Trout,  in  a 
swift  stream.  And  this  Minnow  I  will  now  show  you ;  look, 
here  it  is :  and  if  you  like  it,  lend  it  you,  to  have  two  or  three 
made  by  it,  for  they  be  easily  carried  about  an  Angler  and  be 
of  excellent  use;    for  note,  that  a  large  Trout  will  come  as 


il6  THE  C6Ml>LEtE  ANGLER.  C^art  1. 

fiercely  at  a  Minnow,  as  the  highest  mettled  hawk  doth  seize 
on  a  partridge,  or  a  greyhound  on  a  hare.  I  have  been  told, 
that  one  hundred  and  sixty  Minnows  have  been  found  in  a 
Trout's  belly ;  either  the  Trout  had  devoured  so  many,  or  the 
miller  that  gave  it  a  friend  of  mine  had  forced  them  down  his 
throat  after  he  had  taken  him. 

Now  for  Flies,  which  is  the  third  bait  wherewith  Trouts  are 
usually  taken.  You  are  to  know,  that  there  are  so  many  sorts 
of  flies  as  there  be  of  fruits :  I  will  name  you  but  some  of  them  ; 
as  the  Dun-fly,  the  Stone-fly,  the  Red-fly,  the  Moor-fly,  the 
Tawny-fly,  the  Shell-fly,  the  Cloudy  or  Blackish-fly,  the  Flag- 
fly,  the  Vine-fly :  there  be  of  flies,  Caterpillars,  and  Canker- 
flies,  and  Bear-flies;  and  indeed  too  many  either  for  me  to 
name  or  for  you  to  remember  :  and  their  breeding  is  so  various 
and  wonderful,  that  I  might  easily  amaze  myself  and  tire  you 
in  a  relation  of  them. 

And  yet  I  will  exercise  your  promised  patience  by  saying  a 
little  of  the  Caterpillar,  or  the  Palmer-fly  or  worm,  that  by 
them  you  may  guess  what  a  work  it  were  in  a  discourse  but  to 
run  over  those  very  many  flies,  worms,  and  little  living  creat- 
ures with  which  the  sun  and  summer  adorn  and  beautify  the 
river-banks  and  meadows,  both  for  the  recreation  and  contem- 
plation of  us  Anglers :  pleasures  which,  I  think,  myself  enjoy 
more  than  any  other  man  that  is  not  of  my  profession. 

Pliny  holds  an  opinion,  that  many  have  their  birth  or  being 
from  a  dew,  that  in  the  spring  falls  upon  the  leaves  of  trees ; 
and  that  some  kinds  of  them  are  from  a  dew  left  upon  herbs  or 
flowers ;  and  others  from  a  dew  left  upon  coleworts  or  cab- 
bages; all  which  kinds  of  dews  being  thickened  and  con- 
densed, are  by  the  sun's  generative  heat  most  of  them  hatched, 
and  in  three  days  made  living  creatures :  and  these  of  several 
shapes  and  colors ;  some  being  hard  and  tough,  some  smooth 
and  soft ;  some  are  horned  in  their  head,  some  in  their  tail, 
some  have  none :  some  have  hair,  some  none :  some  have  six- 
teen feet,  some  less,  and  some  have  none :   bvil,  as  our  Topsel 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  Ill 

hath,  with  great  dihgence,  observed,  those  which  have  none 
move  upon  the  earth,  or  upon  broad  leaves,  their  motion  being 
not  unhke  to  the  waves  of  the  sea.  Some  of  them  he  also  ob- 
serves to  be  bred  of  the  eggs  of  other  caterpillars,  and  that 
those  in  their  time  turn  to  be  butterflies ;  and  again,  that  their 
eggs  turn  the  following  year  to  be  caterpillars.  And  some 
affirm,  that  every  plant  has  his  particular  fly  or  caterpillar, 
which  it  breeds  and  feeds.  I  have  seen,  and  may  therefore 
affirm  it*  a  green  caterpillar,  or  worm,  as  big  as  a  small  peas- 
cod,  which  had  fourteen  legs ;  eight  on  the  belly,  four  under 
the  neck,  and  two  near  the  tail.  It  was  found  on  a  hedge  of 
privet ;  and  was  taken  thence,  and  put  into  a  large  box,  and  a 
little  branch  or  two  of  privet  put  to  it,  on  which  I  saw  it  feed 
as  sharply  as  a  dog  gnaws  a  bone :  it  lived  thus  five  or  six 
days,  and  thrived,  and  changed  the  color  two  or  three  times ; 
but,  by  some  neglect  in  the  keeper  of  it,  it  then  died  and  did 
not  turn  to  a  fly :  but  if  it  had  hved,  it  had  doubtless  turned 
to  one  of  those  flies  that  some  call  Flies-of  prey,  which  those 
that  walk  by  the  rivers  may,  in  summer,  see  fasten  on  smaller 
flies,  and,  I  think,  make  them  their  food.  And  't  is  observa- 
ble, that,  as  there  be  these  Flies-of-prey  which  be  very  large, 
so  there  be  others,  very  little,  created,  I  think,  only  to  feed 
them,  and  breed  out  of  I  know  not  what ;  whose  life,  they  say, 
Nature  intended  not  to  exceed  an  hour ;  and  yet  that  life  is 
thus  made  shorter  by  other  flies,  or  accident. 

'T  is  endless  to  tell  you  what  the  curious  searchers  into 
Nature's  productions  have  observed  of  these  worms  and  flies : 
but  yet  I  shall  tell  you  what  Aldrovandus,  our  Topsel,  and 
others,  say  of  the  Palmer-worm  or  Caterpillar :  that  whereas 
others  content  themselves  to  feed  on  particular  herbs  or  leaves, 
— for  most  think  those  very  leaves  that  gave  them  life  and 
shape  give  them  a  particular  feeding  and  nourishment,  and  that 
^upon  them  they  usually  abide ; — yet  he  observes  that  this  is 
•called  a  Pilgrim  or  Palmer-worm,  for  his  very  wandering  life 
;aj>d  varioi^  food ;  not  contenting  himself,  as  others  do,  with 


112  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  X 

any  one  certain  place  for  his  abode,  nor  any  certain  kind  of 
herb  or  flower  for  his  feeding ;  but  will  boldly  and  disorderly 
wander  up  and  down,  and  not  endure  to  be  kept  to  a  diet,  or 
fixed  to  a  particular  place. 

Nay,  the  very  colors  of  Caterpillars  are,  as  one  has  observed, 
very  elegant  and  beautiful.  I  shall,  for  a  taste  of  the  rest,  de- 
scribe one  of  them,  which  I  will  some  time  the  next  month  show 
you  feeding  on  a  willow-tree,  and  you  shall  find  him  punctually 
to  answer  this  very  description  :  his  lips  and  mouth  somewhat 
yellow,  his  eyes  black  as  jet,  his  forehead  purple,  his  feet  and 
hinder  parts  green,  his  tail  two-forked  and  black ;  the  whole 
body  stained  with  a  kind  of  red  spots  which  run  along  the  neck 
and  shoulder-blade,  not  unlike  the  form  of  Saint  Andrew's  cross, 
or  the  letter  X,  made  thus  crosswise,  and  a  white  Hne  drawn 
down  his  back  to  his  tail ;  all  which  add  much  beauty  to  his 
whole  body.  And  it  is  to  me  observable,  that  at  a  fixed  age 
this  Caterpillar  gives  over  to  eat,  and  towards  winter  comes  to 
be  covered  over  with  a  strange  shell  or  crust,  called  an  Aurelia  ; 
and  so  lives  a  kind  of  dead  life,  without  eating,  all  the  winter. 
And,  as  others  of  several  kinds  turn  to  be  several  kinds  of  flies 
and  vermin  the  spring  following,  so  this  caterpillar  then  turns 
to  be  a  painted  butterfly. 

Come,  come.,  my  Scholar,  you  see  the  river  stops  our  morn- 
ing walk,  and  I  will  also  here  stop  my  discourse :  only,  as  we 
sit  down  under  this  honeysuckle  hedge,  whilst  I  look  a  line 
to  fit  the  rod  that  our  Brother  Peter  hath  lent  you,  I  shall,  for 
a  little  confirmation  of  what  I  have  said,  repeat  the  observation 
of  Du  Bartas ; — 

**  God,  not  contented  to  each  kind  to  g^ve, 
And  to  infuse  the  virtue  generative, 
By  his  wise  power  made  many  creatures  breed 
Of  lifeless  bodies,  without  Venus'  deed. 

**  So  the  cold  humor  breeds  the  Salamander  ; 
Who,  in  effect,  like  to  her  birth's  commander, 
With  child  with  hundred  winters,  with  her  touch 
■QtieDcbcth  the  fire,  though  giowing  ne'er  so  much* 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  II3 

•*  So  in  the  fire,  in  burning  furnace,  springs 
The  fly  Perausta  with  the  flaming  wings  i 
Without  the  fire  it  dies  ;  in  it  it  joys  ; 
Living  in  that  which  all  things  else  destroys. 

**  So,  slow  Bootes  underneath  him  sees 
In  th*  icy  islands  goslings  hatched  of  trees ; 
Whose  fruitful  leaves,  falling  into  the  water, 
Are  turned,  't  is  known,  to  living  fowls  soon  after. 

'*  So  rotten  planks  of  broken  ships  do  change 
To  barnacles.     O  transformation  strange  ! 
*T  was  first  a  green  tree,  then  a  broken  hull, 
Lately  a  mushroom,  now  a  flying  gull." 

Ven.  O  my  good  Master  !  this  morning  walk  has  been  sperft 
to  my  great  pleasure  and  wonder  :  but  I  pray,  when  shall  I  have 
your  direction  how  to  make  Artificial  Flies,  like  to  those  that 
the  Trout  loves  best  ?  and  also  how  to  use  them  ? 

Pisc.  My  honest  Scholar,  it  is  now  past  five  of  the  clock ; 
we  will  fish  till  nine,  and  then  go  to  breakfast.  Go  you  to 
yonder  sycamore-tree,  and  hide  your  bottle  of  drink  under  the 
hollow  root  of  it ;  for  about  that  time,  and  in  that  place,  we 
will  make  a  brave  breakfast  with  a  piece  of  powdered  beef,  and 
a  radish  or  two  that  I  have  in  my  fish-bag :  we  shall,  I  warrant 
you,  make  a  good,  honest,  wholesome,  hungry  breakfast ;  and 
I  will  give  then  you  direction  for  the  making  and  using  of 
your  flies :  and  in  the  mean  time  there  is  your  rod  and  line ; 
and  my  advice  is,  that  you  fish  as  you  see  me  do,  and  let 's  try 
which  can  catch  the  first  fish. 

Ven.  I  thank  you.  Master,  I  will  observe  and  practise  your 
direction,  as  far  as  I  am  able. 

Pisc.  Look  you,  Scholar ;  you  see  I  have  hold  of  a  good  fish  : 
I  now  see  it  is  a  Trout.  I  pray  put  that  net  under  him,  and 
touch  not  my  Hne,  for  if  you  do,  then  we  break  all.  Well  done, 
Scholar,  I  thank  you. 

Now  for  another.  Trust  me  I  have  another  bite.  Come, 
Scholar,  come,  lay  down  your  rod,  and  help  me  to  land  this,  as 


1 14  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  t 

you  did  the  other.  So  now  we  shall  be  sure  to  have  a  good 
dish  of  fish  to  supper. 

Ven.  I  am  glad  of  that ;  but  I  have  no  fortune  :  sure,  Master, 
yours  is  a  better  rod  and  better  tackling. 

Pisc.  Nay,  then,  take  mine,  and  I  will  fish  with  yours.  Look 
you,  Scholar,  I  have  another.  Come,  do  as  you  did  before. 
A.nd  now  I  have  a  bite  at  another.  Oh  me !  he  has  brdke  all; 
there's  half  a  line  and  a  good  hook  lost. 

Ven.  Ay,  and  a  good  Trout  too. 

Pisc.  Nay,  the  Trout  is  not  lost ;  for  pray  take  notice,  no 
man  can  lose  what  he  never  had. 

Ven.  Master,  I  can  neither  catch  with  the  first  nor  second 
angle  :  I  have  no  fortune. 

Pisc.  Look  you.  Scholar,  I  have  yet  another.  And  now, 
having  caught  three  brace  of  Trouts,  I  will  tell  you  a  short  tale 
as  we  walk  towards  our  breakfast.  A  scholar,  a  preacher  I 
should  say,  that  was  to  preach  to  procure  the  approbation  of  a 
parish,  that  he  might  be  their  lecturer,  had  got  from  his  fellow- 
pupil  the  copy  of  a  sermon  that  was  first  preached  with  great 
commendation  by  him  that  composed  it :  and  though  the  bor- 
rower of  it  preached  it  word  for  word,  as  it  was  at  first,  yet  it 
was  utterly  disliked  as  it  was  preached  by  the  second  to  his  con-- 
gregation ;  which  the  sermon-borrower  complained  of  to  the 
lender  of  it,  and  was  thus  answered:  *'l  lent  you  indeed  my 
fiddle,  but  not  my  fiddlestick ;  for  you  are  to  know,  that  every 
one  cannot  make  music  with  my  words,  which  are  fitted  for  my 
own  mouth."  And  so,  my  Scholar,  you  are  to  know,  that  as 
the  ill  pronunciation  or  ill  accenting  of  words  in  a  sermon  spoils 
it,  so  the  ill  carriage  of  your  line,  or  not  fishing  even  to  a  foot 
in  a  right  place,  makes  you  lose  your  labor ;  and  you  are  to 
know,  that  though  you  have  my  fiddle,  that  is,  my  very  rod  and 
tackHngs  with  which  you  see  I  catch  fish,  yet  you  have  not  my 
fiddlestick  :  that  is,  you  yet  have  not  skill  to  know  how  to  carry 
your  hand  and  line,  nor  how  to  guide  it  to  a  right  place :  and 
this  must  be  taught  you, — ^for  you  are  to  remember  I  told  you 


Chap,  v.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  -  II5 

Angling  is  an  art, — either  by  practice,  or  a  long  observation, 
or  both.  But  take  this  for  a  rule,  when  you  fish  for  a  Trout 
with  a  worm,  let  your  line  have  so  much,  and  not  more  lead 
than  will  fit  the  stream  in  which  you  fish ;  that  is  to  say,  more 
in  a  great  troublesome  stream  than  in  a  smaller  that  is  quieter : 
as  near  as  may  be,  so  much  as  will  sink  the  bait  to  the  bottom, 
and  keep  it  still  in  motion,  and  not  more. 

But  now  let 's  say  grace  and  fall  to  breakfast.  What  say 
you.  Scholar,  to  the  providence  of  an  old  Angler?  Does 
not  this  meat  taste  well  ?  and  was  not  this  place  well  chosen 
to  eat  it  ?  for  this  sycamore- tree  will  shade  us  from  the  sun's 
heat. 

Ven.  All  excellent  good ;  and  my  stomach  excellent  good 
too.  And  now  I  remember,  and  find  that  true  which  devout 
Lessius  says,  "  that  poor  men,  and  those  that  fast  often,  have 
much  more  pleasure  in  eating  than  rich  men  and  gluttons,  that 
always  feed  before  their  stomachs  are  empty  of  their  last  meat, 
and  call  for  more ;  for  by  that  means  they  rob  themselves  of 
that  pleasure  that  hunger  brings  to  poor  men."  And  I  do  seri- 
ously approve  of  that  saying  of  yours,  "  that  you  had  rather  be 
a  civil,  well-governed,  well-grounded,  temperate,  poor  Angler, 
than  a  drunken  lord  ' '  :  but  I  hope  there  is  none  such.  How- 
ever, I  am  certain  of  this,  that  I  have  been  at  many  very  costly 
dinners  that  have  not  afforded  me  half  the  content  that  this  has 
done,  for  which  I  thank  God  and  you. 

And  now,  good  Master,  proceed  to  your  promised  direction 
for  making  and  ordering  my  Artificial  Fly. 

Pisc.  My  honest  Scholar,  I  will  do  it,  for  it  is  a  debt  due 
unto  you  by  my  promise.  And  because  you  shall  not  think 
yourself  more  engaged  to  me  than  indeed  you  really  are,  I  will 
freely  give  you  such  directions  as  were  lately  given  to  me  by  an 
ingenious  Brother  of  the  Angle,  an  honest  man,  and  a  most  ex- 
cellent fly-fisher. 

You  are  to  note,  that  there  are  twelve  kinds  of  artificial-made 
Flies  to  angle  with  upon  the  top  of  the  water.     Note  by  the 


Il6  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part! 

way,  that  the  fittest  season  of  using  these  is  a  blustering,  windy 
day,  when  the  waters  are  so  troubled  that  the  natural  fly  can- 
not be  seen,  or  rest  upon  them.  The  first  is  the  Dun-fly,  in 
March :  the  body  is  made  of  dun  wool,  the  wings  of  the  par- 
tridge's feathers.  The  second  is  another  Dun-fly :  the  body  of 
black  wool,  and  the  wings  made  of  the  black  drake's  feathers, 
and  of  the  feathers  under  his  tail.  The  third  is  the  Stone-fly, 
in  April :  the  body  is  made  of  black  wool,  made  yellow  under 
the  wings,  and  under  the  tail,  and  so  made  with  wings  of  the 
drake.  The  fourth  is  the  Ruddy-fly,  in  the  beginning  of  May  : 
the  body  made  of  red  wool  wrapt  about  with  black  silk,  and 
the  feathers  are  the  wings  of  the  drake ;  with  the  feathers  of  a 
red  capon  also,  which  hang  dangling  on  his  sides  next  to  the 
tail.  The  fifth  is  the  yellow  or  greenish  fly,  in  May  likewise : 
the  body  made  of  yellow  wool,  and  the  wings  made  of  the  red 
cock's  hackle  or  tail.  The  sixth  is  the  Black-fly,  in  May  also  : 
the  body  made  of  black  wool,  and  lapped  about  with  the  herle 
of  a  peacock's  tail ;  the  wings  are  made  of  the  wings  of  a  brown 
capon  with  his  blue  feathers  in  his  head.  The  seventh  is  the 
Sad-yellow-fly  in  June :  the  body  is  made  of  black  wool,  with 
a  yellow  list  on  either  side,  and  the  wings  taken  oiT  the  wings 
of  a  buzzard,  bound  with  black  braked  hemp.  The  eighth  is 
the  Moorish-fly :  made  with  the  body  of  duskish  wool,  and  the 
wings  made  of  the  blackish  mail  of  the  drake.  The  ninth  is 
the  Tawny-fly,  good  until  the  middle  of  June :  the  body  made 
of  tawny  wool,  the  wings  made  contrary  one  against  the  other, 
made  of  the  whitish  mail  of  the  wild-drake.  The  tenth  is  the 
Wasp-fly,  in  July :  the  body  made  of  black-wool,  lapped  about 
with  yellow  silk ;  the  wings  made  of  the  feathers  of  the  drake, 
or  of  the  buzzard.  The  eleventh  is  the  Shell-fly,  good  in  mid- 
July  :  the  body  made  of  greenish  wool,  lapped  about  with  the 
herle  of  a  peacock's  tail,  and  the  wings  made  of  the  wings  of 
the  buzzard.  The  twelfth  is  the  dark  Drake-fly,  good  in  Au- 
gust :  the  body  made  with  black  wool,  lapped  about  with  black 
silk ;  his  wings  are  made  with  the  mail  of  the  black-drake,  with 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  11/ 

a  black  head.  Thus  have  you  a  jury  of  flies  likely  to  betray 
and  condemn  all  the  Trouts  in  the  river. 

I  shall  next  give  you  some  other  directions  for  fly-fishing, 
such  as  are  given  by  Mr.  Thomas  Barker,  a  gentleman  that 
hath  spent  much  time  in  fishing ;  but  I  shall  do  it  with  a  little 
variation. 

First,  let  your  rod  be  light,  and  very  gentle :  I  take  the  best 
to  be  of  two  pieces.  And  let  not  your  line  exceed, — especially 
for  three  or  four  links  next  to  the  hook, — I  say,  not  exceed 
three  or  four  hairs  at  the  most,  though  you  may  fish  a  little 
stronger  above  in  the  upper  part  of  your  line ;  but  if  you  can 
attain  to  angle  with  one  hair,  you  shall  have  more  rises  and 
catch  more  fish.  Now  you  must  be  sure  not  to  cumber  your- 
self with  too  long  a  line,  as  most  do.  And  before  you  begin 
to  angle,  cast  to  have  the  wind  on  your  back,  and  the  sun,  if 
it  shines,  to  be  before  you,  and  to  fish  down  the  stream ;  and 
carry  the  point  or  top  of  your  rod  downward,  by  which  means 
the  shadow  of  yourself,  and  rod  too,  will  be  the  least  offensive 
to  the  fish ;  for  the  sight  of  any  shade  amazes  the  fish,  and 
spoils  your  sport,  of  which  you  must  take  a  great  care. 

In  the  middle  of  March,  till  which  time  a  man  should  not 
in  honesty  catch  a  Trout ;  or  in  April,  if  the  weather  be  dark, 
or  a  little  windy  or  cloudy,  the  best  fishing  is  with  the  Palmer- 
worm,  of  which  I  last  spoke  to  you  ;  but  of  these  there  be 
divers  kinds,  or  at  least  of  divers  colors  :  these  and  the  May-fly 
are  the  ground  of  all  fly-angling,  which  are  to  be  thus  made. 

First,  you  must  arm  your  hook  with  the  line  in  the  inside  of 
it ;  then  take  your  scissors,  and  cut  so  much  of  a  brown  mal- 
lard's feather  as  in  your  own  reason  will  make  the  wings  of  it, 
you  having  withal  regard  to  the  bigness  or  littleness  of  your 
hook :  then  lay  the  outmost  part  of  your  feather  next  to  your 
hook,  then  the  point  of  your  feather  next  the  shank  of  your 
hook ;  and,  having  so  done,  whip  it  three  or  four  times  about 
the  hook  with  the  same  silk  with  which  your  hook  was  armed ; 
and,  having  made  the  silk  fast,  take  the  hackle  of  a  cock  or 


Il8  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  1. 

capon's  neck,  or  a  plover's  top,  which  is  usually  better :  take 
off  the  one  side  of  the  feather,  and  then  take  the  hackle,  silk, 
or  crewel,  gold  or  silver  thread,  make  these  fast  at  the  bent  of 
the  hook,  that  is  to  say,  below  your  arming ;  then  you  must 
take  the  hackle,  the  silver  or  gold  thread,  and  work  it  up 
to  the  wings,  shifting  or  still  removing  your  finger  as  you 
turn  the  silk  about  the  hook ;  and  still  looking  at  every  stop  or 
turn,  that  your  gold,  or  what  materials  soever  you  make  your 
fly  of,  do  lie  right  and  neatly,  and  if  you  find  they  do  so,  then, 
when  you  have  made  the  head,  make  all  fast :  and  then  work 
your  hackle  up  to  the  head,  and  make  that  fast :  and  then, 
with  a  needle  or  pin,  divide  the  wing  into  two ;  and  then  with 
the  arming  silk  whip  it  about  cross-ways  betwixt  the  wings ; 
and  then  with  your  thumb  you  must  turn  the  point  of  the 
feather  towards  the  bent  of  the  hook ;  and  then  work  three  or 
four  times  about  the  shank  of  the  hook  ;  and  then  view  the  pro- 
portion, and  if  all  be  neat  and  to  your  liking,  fasten. 

I  confess,  no  direction  can  be  given  to  make  a  man  of  a  dull 
capacity  able  to  make  a  fly  well :  and  yet  I  know  this,  with  a 
little  practice,  will  help  an  ingenious  Angler  in  a  good  degree : 
but  to  see  a  fly  made  by  an  artist  in  that  kind,  is  the  best 
teaching  to  make  it.  And,  then',  an  ingenious  Angler  may 
walk  by  the  river  and  mark  what  flies  fall  on  the  water  that 
day,  and  catch  one  of  them,  if  he  see  the  Trouts  leap  at  a  fly 
of  that  kind  :  and  then  having  always  hooks  ready-hung  with 
him,  and  having  a  bag  also  always  with  him,  with  bear's  hair, 
or  the  hair  of  a  brown  or  sad-colored  heifer,  hackles  of  a  cock 
or  a  capon,  several  colored  silk  and  crewel  to  make  the  body 
of  the  fly,  the  feathers  of  a  drake's  head,  black  or  brown 
sheep's  wool,  or  hog's  wool,  or  hair,  thread  of  gold  and  of 
silver,  silk  of  several  colors,  especially  sad-colored,  to  make  the 
fly's  head ;  and  there  be  also  other  colored  feathers  both  of 
little  birds  and  of  speckled  fowl : — I  say,  having  those  with 
him  in  a  bag,  and  trying  to  make  a  fly,  though  he  miss  at  first, 
yet  shall  he  at  last  hit  it  better,  even  to  such  a  perfection  as 


Chap.  V.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  II9 

none  can  well  teach  him.  And  if  he  hit  to  make  his  fly  right, 
and  have  the  luck  to  hit  also  where  there  is  store  of  Trouts,  a 
dark  day,  and  a  right  wind,  he  will  catch  such  store  of  them 
as  will  encourage  him  to  grow  more  and  more  in  love  with  the 
art  of  fly-making. 

Ven.  But,  my  loving  Master,  if  any  wind  will  not  serve, 
then  I  wish  I  were  in  Lapland,  to  buy  a  good  wind  of  one 
of  the  honest  witches,  that  sell  so  many  winds  there,  and  so 
cheap. 

Pisc.  Marry,  Scholar,  but  I  would  not  be  there,  nor  indeed 
from  under  this  tree :  for  look  how  it  begins  to  rain,  and  by 
the  clouds,  if  I  mistake  not,  we  shall  presently  have  a  smoking 
shower  :  and  therefore  sit  close ;  this  sycamore-tree  will  shelter 
us :  and  I  will  tell  you,  as  they  shall  come  into  my  mind,  more 
observations  of  Fly-fishing  for  a  Trout. 

But  first  for  the  wind :  you  are  to  take  notice,  that  of  the 
winds  the  south  wind  is  said  to  be  best.  One  observes, 
that 

"  when  the  wind  is  south 
It  blows  your  bait  into  a  fish's  mouth." 

Next  to  that,  the  west  wind  is  believed  to  be  the  best :  and 
having  told  you  that  the  east  wind  is  the  worst,  I  need  not  tell 
you  which  wind  is  the  best  in  the  third  degree :  and  yet,  as 
Solomon  observes,  Eccles.  xi.  4,  that  *'he  that  considers  the 
wind  shall  never  sow  "  ;  so  he  that  busies  his  head  too  much 
about  them,  if  the  weather  be  not  made  extreme  cold  by  an 
east  wind,  shall  be  a  little  superstitious :  for  as  it  is  observed 
by  some,  that  there  is  no  good  horse  of  a  bad  color,  so  I  have 
observed  that  if  it  be  a  cloudy  day,  and  not  extreme  cold, 
let  the  wind  sit  in  what  corner  it  will,  and  do  its  worst,  I  heed 
it  not.  And  yet  take  this  for  a  rule,  that  I  would  wiUingly 
fish  standing  on  the  lee-shore :  and  you  are  to  take  notice,  that 
the  fish  Hes  or  swims  nearer  the  bottom,  and  in  deeper  water, 
in  winter  than  in  summer ;  and  also  nearer  the  bottom  in  a 
cold  day,  and  then  gets  nearest  the  lee-side  of  the  water. 


120  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

But  I  promised  to  tell  you  more  of  the  Fly-fishing  for  a 
Trout,  which  I  may  have  time  enough  to  do,  for  you  see  it 
rains  May  butter.  First  for  a  May-fly  :  you  may  make  his 
body  with  greenish-colored  crewel,  or  willowish  color ;  dark- 
ening it  in  most  places  with  waxed  silk,  or  ribbed  with  black 
hair,  or  some  of  them  ribbed  with  silver  thread ;  and  such 
wings,  for  the  color,  as  you  see  the  fly  to  have  at  that  season, — 
nay,  at  that. very  day  on  the  water.  Or  you  may  make  the 
Oak-fly  with  an  orange  tawny  and  black  ground,  and  the  brown 
of  a  mallard's  feather  for  the  wings;  and  you  are  to  know, 
that  these  two  are  most  excellent  flies,  that  is,  the  May-fly  and 
the  Oak-fly.  And  let  me  again  tell  you,  that  you  keep  as  far 
from  the  water  as  you  can  possibly,  whether  you  fish  with  a  fly 
or  worm,  and  fish  down  the  stream  :  and  when  you  fish  with  a 
fly,  if  it  be  possible,  let  no  part  of  your  line  touch  the  water, 
but  your  fly  only;  and  be  still  moving  your  fly  upon  the 
water,  or  casting  it  into  the  water,  you  yourself  being  also 
always  moving  down  the  stream. 

Mr.  Barker  commends  several  sorts  of  the  Palmer  flies  ;  not 
only  those  ribbed  with  silver  and  gold,  but  others  that  have 
their  bodies  all  made  of  black,  or  some  with  red,  and  a  red 
hackle.  You  may  also  make  the  Hawthorn-fly,  which  is  all 
black,  and  not  big,  but  very  small,  the  smaller  the  better :  or 
the  Oak-fly,  the  body  of  which  is  orange-color  and  black 
crewel,  with  a  brown  wing;  or  a  fly  made  with  a  peacock's 
feather  is  excellent  in  a  bright  day.  You  must  be  sure  you 
want  not  in  your  magazine-bag  the  peacock's  feather,  and 
grounds  of  such  wool  and  crewel  as  will  make  the  Grasshop- 
per ;  and  note,  that  usually  the  smallest  flies  are  the  best.  And 
note  also,  that  the  Hght  fly  does  usually  make  most  sport  in  a 
dark  day,  and  the  darkest  and  least  fly  in  a  bright  or  clear  day : 
and  lastly  note,  that  you  are  to  repair  upon  any  occasion  to 
your  magazine-bag ;  and  upon  any  occasion  vary,  and  make 
them  lighter  or  sadder  according  to  your  fancy  or  the  day. 

And  now  I  shall  tell  you,  that  the  fishing  with  a  natural  fly 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  121 

is  excellent,  and  affords  much  pleasure.  They  may  be  found 
thus :  the  May-fly  usually  in  and  about  that  month  near  to  the 
river -side,  especially  against  rain  :  the  Oak-fly  on  the  but  or 
body  of  an  oak  or  ash,  from  the  beginning  of  May  to  the  end 
of  August ;  it  is  a  brownish  fly,  and  easy  to  be  so  found,  and 
stands  usually  with  his  head  downward,  that  is  to  say,  towards 
the  root  of  the  tree :  the  small  black  fly,  or  Hawthcrn-fly,  is 
to  be  had  on  any  hawthorn-bush  after  the  leaves  be  come  forth  : 
with  these  and  a  short  line,  as  I  showed  to  angle  for  a  Chub, 
you  may  dape  or  dop ;  and  also  with  a  grasshopper  behind  a 
tree,  or  in  any  deep  hole ;  still  making  it  to  move  on  the  top 
of  the  water,  as  if  it  were  aUve,  and  still  keeping  yourself  out 
of  sight,  you  shall  certainly  have  sport  if  there  be  Trouts ; 
yea,  in  a  hot  day,  but  especially  in  the  evening  of  a  hot  day, 
you  will  have  sport. 

And  now.  Scholar,  my  direction  for  fly-fishing  is  ended  with 
this  shower,  for  it  has  done  raining.  And  now  look  about 
you,  and  see  how  pleasantly  that  meadow  looks ;  nay,  and  the 
earth  smells  as  sweetly  too.  Come,  let  me  tell  you  what  holy 
Mr.  Herbert  says  of  such  days  and  flowers  as  these ;  and  then 
we  will  thank  God  that  we  enjoy  them,  and  walk  to  the  river, 
and  sit  down  quietly,  and  try  to  catch  the  othei  brace  of 
Trouts. 

"  Sweet  day,  so  cool,  so  calm,  so  bright, 
The  bridal  of  the  earth  and  sky, 
Sweet  dews  shall  weep  thy  fall  to-night, — 

For  thou  must  die  I 

"  Sweet  rose,  whose  hue,  angry  and  brave, 
Bids  the  rash  gazer  wipe  his  eye, 
Thy  root  is  ever  in  its  grave, — 

And  thou  must  die  I 

**  Sweet  spring,  full  of  sweet  days  and  roses, 
A  box  where  sweets  compacted  lie  ; 
My  music  shows  you  have  your  closes, — 

And  all  must  die  ! 


122  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

**  Only  a  sweet  and  virtuous  soul, 
Like  seasoned  timber,  never  gives, 
But  when  the  whole  world  turns  to  coal, — 

Then  chiefly  lives  !  " 

Ven.  I  thank  you,  good  Master,  for  your  good  direction  for 
fly-fishing,  and  for  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  the  pleasant  day, 
which  is  so  far  spent  without  offence  to  God  or  man :  and  I 
thank  you  for  the  sweet  close  of  your  discourse  with  Mr.  Her- 
bert's verses ;  who,  I  have  heard,  loved  AngUng :  and  I  do 
the  rather  believe  it,  because  he  had  a  spirit  suitable  to  An- 
glers, and  to  those  primitive  Christians  that  you  love,  and  have 
so  much  commended. 

Pisc.  Well,  my  loving  Scholar,  and  I  am  pleased  to  know 
that  you  are  so  well  pleased  with  my  direction  and  discourse. 

And  since  you  like  these  verses  of  Mr.  Herbert's  so  well,  let 
me  tell  you  what  a  reverend  and  learned  divine  that  professes 
to  imitate  him,  and  has  indeed  done  so  most  excellently,  hath 
writ  of  our  Book  of  Common  Prayer :  which  I  know  you  will 
like  the  better  because  he  is  a  friend  of  mine,  and  I  am  sure  no 
enemy  to  Angling. 

••  What  ?    Prayer  by  the  Book  ?  and  Common  ?    Yes  ;  why  not  ? 

The  spirit  of  grace 
And  supplication 
'  Is  not  left  free  alone 

For  time  and  place, 
But  manner  too  :  to  read  or  speak  by  rote. 
Is  all  alike  to  him,  that  prays 
In  *s  heart  what  with  his  mouth  he  says. 

**  They  that  in  private  by  themselves  alone 
Do  pray,  may  take 
What  liberty  they  please, 
In  choosing  of  the  ways 
Wherein  to  make 
Their  soul's  most  intimate  affections  known 
To  Him  that  sees  in  secret,  when 
Th'  are  most  concealed  from  other  men* 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  I23 

**  But  he  that  unto  others  leads  the  way 
In  public  prayer, 
Should  do  it  so, 
As  all  that  hear  may  know 
They  need  not  fear 
To  tune  their  hearts  unto  his  tongue,  and  say. 
Amen  !  not  doubt  they  were  betrayed 
To  blaspheme,  when  they  meant  to  have  prayed. 

"  Devotion  will  add  life  unto  the  letter, 
And  why  should  not 
That  which  authority 
Prescribes  esteemed  be 
Advantage  got  ? 
If  th'  prayer  be  good,  the  commoner  the  better, 
Prayer  in  the  Church's  words,  as  well 
As  sense,  of  all  prayers  bears  the  bell." 

Ch.   Harvie. 

And  now,  Scholar,  I  think  it  will  be  time  to  repair  to  our 
angle-rods,  which  we  left  in  the  water  to  fish  for  themselves ; 
and  you  shall  choose  which  shall  be  yours ;  and  it  is  an  even 
lay  one  of  them  catches. 

And  let  me  tell  you,  this  kind  of  fishing  with  a  dead  rod, 
and  laying  night-hooks,  are  like  putting  money  to  use ;  for 
they  both  work  for  the  owners  when  they  do  nothing  but  sleep, 
or  eat,  or  rejoice ;  as  you  know  we  have  done  this  last  hour, 
and  sat  as  quietly  and  as  free  from  cares  under  this  sycamore, 
as  Virgil's  Tityrus  and  his  Meliboeus  did  under  their  broad 
beech-tree.  No  life,  my  honest  Scholar,  no  life  so  happy  and 
so  pleasant  as  the  life  of  a  well -governed  Angler ;  for  when 
the  lawyer  is  swallowed  up  with  business,  and  the  statesman 
is  preventing  or  contriving  plots,  then  we  sit  on  cowslip  banks, 
hear  the  birds  sing,  and  possess  ourselves  in  as  much  quietness 
as  these  silent  silver  streams,  which  we  now  see  glide  so  quietly 
by  us.  Indeed,  my  good  Scholar,  we  may  say  of  Angling,  as 
Dr.  Boteler  said  of  strawberries  :  "  Doubtless  God  could  have 
made  a  better  berry,  but  doubtless  God  nev«r  did  "  :  and  so, 


124  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

if  I  might  be  judge.  ''  God  never  did  make  a  more  calm,  quiet, 
innocent  recreation  than  AngHng. ' ' 

I  '11  tell  you,  Scholar,  when  I  sat  last  on  this  primrose-bank, 
and  looked  down  these  meadows,  I  thought  of  them  as  Charles 
the  Emperor  did  of  the  city  of  Florence, — **  that  they  were  too 
pleasant  to  be  looked  on,  but  only  on  holy-days  ":  as  I  then  sat 
on  this  v^ry  grass,  I  turned  my  present  thoughts  into  verse  :  't 
was  a  Wish,  which  I  '11  repeat  to  you. 

THE    angler's    wish. 

I  in  these  flowery  meads  would  be  ; 

These  crystal  streams  should  solace  me  ; 

To  whose  harmonious,  bubbling  noise 

I  with  my  angle  would  rejoice  : 
Sit  here,  and  see  the  turtle-dove 
Court  his  chaste  mate  to  acts  of  love  : 

Or,  on  that  bank,  feel  the  west  wind 
Breathe  health  and  plenty  ;  please  my  mind 
To  see  sweet  dew-drops  kiss  these  flowers, 
And  then  washed  off  by  April  showers  : 

Here,  hear  my  Kenna  sing  *  a  song ; 

There,  see  a  blackbird  feed  her  youngs 

Or  a  leverock  build  her  nest ; 

Here,  give  my  weary  spirits  rest. 

And  raise  my  low-pitched  thoughts  above 

Earth,  or  what  poor  mortals  love  : 

Thus  free  from  lawsuits,  and  the  noist 

Of  princes'  courts,  I  would  rejoice  : 

Or,  with  my  Bryan,  and  a  book, 
Loiter  long  days  near  Shawf ord  Brook  ; 
There  sit  by  him,  and  eat  my  meat. 
There  see  the  sun  both  rise  and  set : 

*  Like  Hermit  poor. 


Chap.  V.)  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  125 

There  bid  good  morning  to  next  day, 
There  meditate  my  time  away  : 

And  angle  on,  and  beg  to  have 

A  quiet  passage  to  a  welcome  grave 

When  I  had  ended  this  composure,  I  left  this  place,  and  saw 
a  Brother  of  the  Angle  sit  under  that  honeysuckle  hedge,  one 
that  will  prove  worth  your  acquaintance.  I  sat  down  by  him, 
and  presently  we  met  with  an  accidental  piece  of  merriment 
which  I  will  relate  to  you ;  for  it  rains  still. 

On  the  other  side  of  this  very  hedge  sat  a  gang  of  Gypsies, 
and  near  to  them  sat  a  gang  of  beggars.  The  Gypsies  were 
then  to  divide  all  the  money  that  had  been  got  that  week, 
either  by  stealing  linen  or  poultry,  or  by  fortune-telling,  or 
legerdemain,  or,  indeed,  by  any  other  sleights  and  secrets  be- 
longing to  their  mysterious  government.  And  the  sum  that 
was  got  that  week  proved  to  be  but  twenty  and  some  odd 
shillings.  The  odd  money  was  agreed  to  be  distributed 
amongst  the  poor  of  their  own  corporation :  and  for  the  re- 
maining twenty  shillings,  that  was  to  be  divided  unto  four 
Gentlemen-gypsies,  according  to  their  several  degrees  in  their 
commonwealth. 

And  the  first  or  chiefest  Gypsy  was  by  consent  to  have  a 
third  part  of  the  twenty  shillings,  which  all  men  know  is  6s. 
Sd. 

The  second  was  to  have  a  fourth  part  of  the  20^.,  which  all 
men  know  to  be  ^s. 

The  third  was  to  have  a  fifth  part  of  the  20s.,  which  all  men 
know  to  be  4s. 

The  fourth  and  last  Gypsy  was  to  have  a  sixth  part  of  the 
8 ox.,  which  all  men  know  to  be  3^.  4^. 

As,  for  example, 

3  times  6s.  8df.  is  .••••,  acxf. 

And  so  is  4  times  5J.        ,         ,         •         •         •        ,  20s, 

And  so  is  5  times  4-y.        .         ,         •         ,         ,         ,  30s, 

And  so  is  6  times  y.  ^d,    '    »        «        •        «        •  204; 


126  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

And  yet  he  that  divided  the  money  was  so  very  a  Gypsy^ 
that,  though  he  gave  to  every  one  these  said  sums,  yet  he  kept 
one  shiUing  of  it  for  himself. 

As,  for  example,  s,        d, 

6        8 

5  o 
4  o 
3        4 


make  but  19       o 

But  now  you  shall  know,  that  when  the  four  Gypsies  saw 
that  he  had  got  one  shilling  by  dividing  the  money,  though 
not  one  of  them  knew  any  reason  to  demand  more,  yet,  like 
lords  and  courtiers,  every  Gypsy  envied  him  that  was  the 
gainer,  and  wrangled  with  him ;  and  every  one  said  the  re- 
maining shilHng  belonged  to  him  :  and  so  they  fell  to  so  high  a 
contest  about  it,  as  none  that  knows  the  faithfulness  of  one 
Gypsy  to  another  will  easily  believe ;  only  we  that  have  lived 
these  last  twenty  years  are  certain  that  money  has  been  able  to  do 
much  mischief.  However,  the  Gypsies  were  too  wise  to  go  to 
law,  and  did  therefore  choose  their  choice  friends  Rook  and 
Shark,  and  our  late  English  Gusman,  to  be  their  arbitrators 
and  umpires.  And  so  they  left  this  honeysuckle  hedge ;  and 
went  to  tell  fortunes,  and  cheat,  and  get  more  money  and 
lodging  in  the  next  village. 

When  these  were  gone,  we  heard  as  high  a  contention 
amongst  the  beggars,  whether  it  was  easiest  to  rip  a  cloak,  or 
to  unrip  a  cloak  ?  One  beggar  affirmed  it  was  all  one :  but 
that  was  denied,  by  asking  her  if  doing  and  undoing  were  all 
one.  Then  another  said,  't  was  easiest  to  unrip  a  cloak,  for 
that  was  to  let  it  alone :  but  she  was  answered  by  asking  hei 
how  she  unripped  it,  if  she  let  it  alone  ?  and  she  confessed  her- 
self mistaken.  These  and  twenty  such  like  questions  were  pro- 
posed, and  answered  with  as  much  beggarly  logic  and  earnest- 
ness as  was  ever  heard  to  proceed  from  the  mouth  of  the  most 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  12/ 

pertinacious  schismatic ;  and  sometimes  all  the  beggars,  whose 
number  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  poets'  nine  Muses, 
talked  all  together  about  this  ripping  and  unripping,  and  so  loud 
that  not  one  heard  what  the  other  said :  but  at  last  one  Beggar 
craved  audience,  and  told  them,  that  old  Father  Clause,  whom 
Ben  Jonson  in  his  Beggar's  Bush  created  king  of  their  corpo- 
ration, was  that  night  to  lodge  at  an  ale-house,  called  Catch - 
her-by-the-way,  not  far  from  Waltham  Cross,  and  in  the  high- 
road towards  London  ;  and  he  therefore  desired  them  to  spend 
no  more  time  about  that  and  such  like  questions,  but  to  refer 
all  to  Father  Clause  at  night,  for  he  was  an  upright  judge,  and 
in  the  mean  time  draw  cuts  what  song  should  be  next  sung,  and 
who  should  sing  it.  They  all  agreed  to  the  motion,  and  the 
lot  fell  to  her  that  was  the  youngest,  and  veriest  virgin  of  the 
company,  and  she  sung  Frank  Davison's  song,  which  he  made 
forty  years  ago ;  and  all  the  others  of  the  company  joined  to 
sing  the  burden  with  her.  The  ditty  was  this, — but  first  the 
burden : — 

**  Bright  shines  the  sun  :  play,  beggars,  play, 
Here's  scraps  enough  to  serve  to-day. 

•*  What  noise  of  viols  is  so  sweet 

As  when  our  merry  clappers  ring? 
What  mirth  doth  want  when  beggars  meet  ? 

A  beggar's  life  is  for  a  king. 
Eat,  drink,  and  play ;  sleep  when  we  list, 
Go  where  we  will, — so  stocks  be  mist. 

Bright  shines  the  sun  :  play,  beggars,  play. 

Here's  scraps  enough  to  serve  to-day. 

•*  The  world  is  ours,  and  ours  alone, 

For  we  alone  have  world  at  will ; 
We  purchase  not,  all  is  our  own, 

Both  fields  and  streets  we  beggars  fill ; 
Nor  care  to  get,  nor  fear  to  keep, 
Did  ever  break  a  beggar's  sleep. 

Bright  shines  the  sun  :  play,  beggars,  play, 

Here's  scraps  enough  to  serve  to-day. 


128  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

"A  hundred  herds  of  black  and  white 

Upon  our  gowns  securely  feed  ; 
And  yet  if  any  dare  us  bite, 

He  dies  therefore  as  sure  as  creed. 
Thus  beggars  lord  it  as  they  please, 
And  only  beggars  live  at  ease. 

Bright  shines  the  sun  :  play,  beggars,  play, 

Here's  scraps  enough  to  serve  to-day." 

Ven.  I  thank  you,  good  Master,  for  this  piece  of  merriment, 
and  this  song,  which  was  well  humored  by  the  maker,  and  well 
remembered  by  you. 

Pisc.  But  I  pray  forget  not  the  catch  which  you  promised 
to  make  against  night ;  for  our  countryman,  honest  Coridon, 
will  expect  your  catch  and  my  song,  which  I  must  be  forced 
to  patch  up,  for  it  is  so  long  since  I  learned  it  that  I  have  for- 
got a  part  of  it.  But  come,  now  it  hath  done  raining,  let's 
stretch  our  legs  a  little  in  a  gentle  walk  to  the  river,  and  try 
what  interest  our  angles  will  pay  us  for  lending  them  so  long 
to  be  used  by  the  Trouts :  lent  them  indeed,  like  usurers,  for 
our  profit  and  their  destruction. 

Ven.  O  me  !  look  you  Master,  a  fish,  a  fish  !  O  alas.  Mas- 
ter, I  have  lost  her  ! 

Pisc.  Ay  marry,  Sir,  that  was  a  good  fish  indeed :  if  I  had 
had  the  luck  to  have  taken  up  that  rod,  then  't  is  twenty  to 
one  he  should  not  have  broke  my  line  by  running  to  the  rod's 
end,  as  you  suffered  him.  I  would  have  held  him  within  the 
bent  of  my  rod,  unless  he  had  been  fellow  to  the  great  Trout 
that  is  near  an  ell  long,  which  was  of  such  a  length  and  depth 
that  he  had  his  picture  drawn,  and  is  now  to  be  seen  at  mine 
Host  Rickabie's,  at  the  George  in  Ware ;  and  it  may  be,  by 
giving  that  very  great  Trout  the  rod,  that  is,  by  casting  it  to 
him  into  the  water,  I  might  have  caught  him  at  the  long  run ; 
for  so  I  use  always  to  do  when  I  meet  with  an  overgrown  fish, 
and  you  will  learn  to  do  so  too  hereafter:  for  I  tell  you. 
Scholar,  fishing  is  an  art,  or,  at  least,  it  is  an  art  to  catch  fi»h. 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  1^9 

Ven.  But,  Master,  I  have  heard  that  the  great  Trout  you 
speak  of  is  a  Salmon. 

Pisc.  Trust  me,  Scholar,  I  know  not  what  to  say  to  it. 
There  are  many  country  people  that  believe  Hares  change  sexes 
every  year ;  and  there  be  very  many  learned  men  think  so  too, 
for  in  their  dissecting  them  they  find  many  reasons  to  incHne 
them  to  that  belief.  And  to  make  the  wonder  seem  yet  less, 
that  Hares  change  sexes,  note  that  Doctor  Mer.  Casaubon  af- 
firms, in  his  book  *'  Of  Credible  and  Incredible  Things,"  that 
Caspar  Peucerus,  a  learned  physician,  tells  us  of  a  people  that 
once  a  year  turn  wolves,  partly  in  shape,  and  partly  in  con- 
ditions. And  so,  whether  this  were  a  Salmon  when  he  came 
into  the  fresh  water,  and  his  not  returning  into  the  sea  hath 
altered  him  to  another  color  or  kind,  I  am  not  able  to  say ; 
but  I  am  certain  he  hath  all  the  signs  of  being  a  Trout,  both 
for  his  shape,  color,  and  spots;  and  yet  many  think  he  is 
not. 

Ven.  But,  Master,  will  this  Trout  which  I  had  hold  of  die  ? 
for  it  is  like  he  hath  the  hook  in  his  belly. 

Pisc.  I  will  tell  you.  Scholar,  that  unless  the  hook  be  fast 
in  his  very  gorge,  't  is  more  than  probable  he  will  live;  and  a 
little  time,  with  the  help  of  the  water,  will  rust  the  hook,  and 
it  will  in  time  wear  away,  as  the  gravel  doth  in  the  horse-hoof, 
which  only  leaves  a  false  quarter. 

And  now.  Scholar,  let's  go  to  my  rod.  Look  you.  Scholar, 
I  have  a  fish  too,  but  it  proves  a  loggerheaded  Chub ;  and  this 
is  not  much  amiss,  for  this  will  pleasure  some  poor  body,  as 
we  go  to  our  lodgings  to  meet  our  brother  Peter  and  honest 
Coridon.  Come,  now  bait  your  hook  again,  and  lay  it  into 
the  water,  for  it  rains  again  ;  and  we  will  even  retire  to  the 
sycamore-tree,  and  there  I  will  give  you  more  directions  con- 
cerning fishing,  for  I  would  fain  make  you  an  artist. 

Ven.  Yes,  good  Master,  I  pray  let  it  be  so. 

Pisc.  Well,  Scholar,  now  we  are  sat  down  and  are  at  ease,  I 
shall  tell  you  a  little  more  of  Trout-fishing,  before  I  speak  of 


13©  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  (Part  I 

the  Salmon,  which  I  purpose  shall  be  next,  and  then  of  the 
Pike  or  Luce. 

You  are  to  know,  there  is  night  as  well  as  day  fishing  for  a 
Trout,  and  that  in  the  night  the  best  Trouts  come  out  of  their 
holes  ;  and  the  manner  of  taking  them  is,  on  the  top  of  the 
water  with  a  great  lob  or  garden-worm,  or  rather  two,  which 
you  are  to  fish  with  in  a  place  where  the  waters  run  somewhat 
quietly,  for  in  a  stream  the  bait  will  not  be  so  well  discerned. 
I  say  in  a  quiet  or  dead  place  near  to  some  swift,  there  draw 
your  bait  over  the  top  of  the  water,  to  and  fro,  and  if  there  be 
a  good  Trout  in  the  hole,  he  will  take  it,  especially  if  the 
night  be  dark :  for  then  he  is  bold  and  lies  near  the  top  of  the 
water,  watching  the  motion  of  any  frog  or  water-rat  or  mouse 
that  swims  betwixt  him  and  the  sky ;  these  he  hunts  after,  if 
he  sees  the  water  but  wrinkle  or  move  in  one  of  these  dead 
holes,  where  these  great  old  Trouts  usually  lie  near  to  their 
holds :  for  you  are  to  note,  that  the  great  old  Trout  is  both 
subtle  and  fearful,  and  lies  close  all  day,  and  does  not  usually 
stir  out  of  his  hold,  but  lies  in  it  as  close  in  the  day  as  the 
timorous  Hare  does  in  her  form ;  for  the  chief  feeding  of  either 
is  seldom  in  the  day,  but  usually  in  the  night,  and  then  the 
great  Trout  feeds  very  boldly. 

And  you  must  fish  for  him  with  a  strong  line,  and  not  a  lit- 
tle hook ;  and  let  him  have  time  to  gorge  your  hook,  for  he 
does  not  usually  forsake  it,  as  he  oft  will  in  the  day  fishing. 
And  if  the  night  be  not  dark,  then  fish  so  with  an  artificial  fly 
of  a  light  color,  and  at  the  snap :  nay,  he  will  sometimes  rise 
at  a  dead  mouse,  or  a  piece  of  cloth,  or  anything  that  seems  to 
swim  cross  the  water,  or  to  be  in  motion.  This  is  a  choice 
way,  but  I  have  not  oft  used  it,  because  it  is  void  of  the  pleas- 
ures that  such  days  as  these,  that  we  two  now  enjoy,  afford  an 
Angler. 

And  you  are  to  know,  that  in  Hampshire,  which  I  think  tx- 
ceeds  all  England  for  swift,  shallow,  clear,  pleasant  brooks,  and 
Store  of  Trouts,  they  use  to  catch  Trouts  in  the  night  bj  the 


Chap   /.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  I3I 

light  of  a  torch  or  straw,  which  when  they  have  discovered, 
they  strike  with  a  trout-spear  or  other  ways.  This  kind  of 
way  they  catch  very  many ;  but  I  would  not  believe  it  till  I 
was  an  eyewitness  of  it,  nor  do  I  like  it  now  I  have  seen  it. 

Ven.  But,  Master,  do  not  Trouts  see  us  in  the  night  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  and  hear  and  smell  too,  both  then  and  in  the 
day-time  ;  for  Gesner  observes,  the  Otter  smells  a  fish  forty  fur- 
longs off  him  in  the  water :  and  that  it  may  be  true  seems  to 
be  affirmed  by  Sir  Francis  Bacon,  in  the  Eighth  Century  of  his 
Natural  History,  who  there  proves  that  waters  may  be  the  me- 
dium of  sounds,  by  demonstrating  it  thus:  ''That  if  you 
knock  two  stones  together  very  deep  under  the  water,  those 
that  stand  on  a  bank  near  to  that  place  may  hear  the  noise 
without  any  diminution  of  it  by  the  water."  He  also  offers 
the  like  experiment  concerning  the  letting  an  anchor  fall,  by  a 
very  long  cable  or  rope,  on  a  rock  or  the  sand  within  the  sea. 
And  this  being  so  well  observed  and  demonstrated,  as  it  is  by 
that  learned  man,  has  made  me  to  believe  that  Eels  unbed 
themselves,  and  stir  at  the  noise  of  thunder,  and  not  only,  as 
some  think,  by  the  motion  or  stirring  of  the  earth  which  is  oc- 
casioned by  that  thunder. 

And  this  reason  of  Sir  Francis  Bacon,  Exper.  792,  has  made 
me  crave  pardon  of  one  that  I  laughed  at  for  affirming,  that  he 
knew  Carps  come  to  a  certain  place  in  a  pond,  to  be  fed,  at  the 
ringing  of  a  bell  or  the  beating  of  a  drum :  and  however,  it 
shall  be  a  rule  for  me  to  make  as  little  noise  as  I  can  when  I  am 
fishing,  until  Sir  Francis  Bacon  be  confuted  ;  which  I  shall 
give  any  man  leave  to  do. 

And,  lest  you  may  think  him  singular  in  this  opinion,  I  will 
tell  you,  this  seems  to  be  believed  by  our  learned  Doctor  Hake- 
will,  who  in  his  Apology  of  God's  Power  and  Providence,  fol. 
360,  quotes  Pliny  to  report,  that  one  of  the  Emperors  had  par- 
ticular fish-ponds,  and  in  them  several  fish,  that  appeared  and 
came  when  they  were  called  by  their  particular  names.  And 
St.  James  tells  us,  Chap.  iii.  .7,. that  all  things  in  th^  se^  tiave 


132  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IPart  L 

been  tamed  by  mankind.  And  Pliny  tells  us,  Lib.  ix.  35,  that 
Antonia,  the  wife  of  Driisus,  had  a  Lamprey,  at  whose  gills  she 
hung  jewels,  or  earrings  :  and  that  others  have  been  so  tender- 
hearted as  to  shed  tears  at  the  death  of  fishes  which  they  have 
kept  and  loved.  And  these  observations,  which  will  to  most 
hearers  seem  wonderful,  seem  to  have  a  further  confirmation 
from  Martial,  Lib.  iv.  Epigr.  30,  who  writes  thus : — 

**Piscator,  fuge,  ne  nocens,"  etc. 

•*  Angler,  wouldst  thou  be  guiltless  ?  then  forbear, 
For  these  are  sacred  fishes  that  swim  here, 
Who  know  their  sovereign,  and  will  lick  his  hand, 
Than  which  none  's  greater  in  the  world's  command  ; 
Nay,  more,  th'  have  names,  and  when  they  called  are, 
Do  to  their  several  owners'  call  repair." 

All  the  further  use  that  I  shall  make  of  this  shall  be,  to  advise 
Anglers  to  be  patient,  and  forbear  swearing,  lest  they  be  heard 
and  catch  no  fish. 

And  so  I  shall  proceed  next  to  tell  you,  it  is  certain,  that 
certain  fields  near  Leominster,  a  town  in  Herefordshire,  are 
observed  to  make  the  sheep  that  graze  upon  them  more  fat  than 
the  next,  and  also  to  bear  finer  wool ;  that  is  to  say,  that  that 
year  in  which  they  feed  in  such  a  particular  pasture  they  shall 
yield  finer  wool  than  they  did  that  year  before  they  came  to 
feed  in  it,  and  coarser  again  if  they  shall  return  to  their  former 
pasture;  and  again  return  to  a  finer  wool,  being  fed  in  the 
fine-wool  ground.  Which  I  tell  you,  that  you  may  the  better 
beheve  that  I  am  certain,  if  I  catch  a  Trout  in  one  meadow, 
he  shall  be  white  and  faint,  and  very  like  to  be  lousy ;  and  as 
certainly,  if  I  catch  a  Trout  in  the  next  meadow,  he  shall  be 
strong,  and  red,  and  lusty,  and  much  better  meat.  Trust  me, 
Scholar,  I  have  caught  many  a  Trout  in  a  particular  meadow, 
that  the  very  shape  and  the  enamelled  color  of  him  hath  been 
mick  a»  hath  joyed  me  to  look  on  him ;  and  I  have  then  with 


Chap.  V.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  133 

much  pleasure  concluded  with  Solomon,  *' Everything  is  beau- 
tiful in  his  season,"     Eccles.  iii.  ii. 

I  should  by  promise  speak  next  of  the  Salmon  ;  but  I  will, 
by  your  favor,  say  a  little  of  the  Umber  or  Grayling ;  which 
is  so  like  a  Trout  for  his  shape  and  feeding,  that  I  desire  I  may 
exercise  your  patience  with  a  short  discourse  of  him ;  and  then 
the  next  shall  be  of  the  Salmon. 


THE    FOURTH     DAY. 

Chap.  VI. — Observations  of  the  Umber  or  Grayling,  and  Du 

rections  how  to  fish  for  them. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Umber  and  Grayling  are  thought  by  some  to  differ,  as 
*  the  Herring  and  Pilcher  do.  But  though  they  may  do  so 
in  other  nations,  I  think  those  in  England  differ  nothing  but 
in  their  names.  Aldrovandus  says,  they  be  of  a  Trout  kind  ; 
and  Gesner  says  that,  in  his  country,  which  is  Switzerland,  he 
is  accounted  the  choicest  of  all  fish.  And  in  Italy  he  is,  in 
the  month  of  May,  so  highly  valued,  that  he  is  sold  then  at  a 
much  higher  rate  than  any  other  fish.  The  French,  which  call 
the  Chub  Un  Villain,  call  the  Umber  of  the  Lake  Leman  Un 
Umble  Chevalier ;  and  they  value  the  Umber  or  Grayling  so 
highly,  that  they  say  he  feeds  on  gold ;  and  say  that  many 
have  been  caught  out  of  their  famous  river  of  Loire,  out 
of  whose  bellies  grains  of  gold  have  been  often  taken.  And 
some  think  that  he  feeds  on  water-thyme,  and  smells  of  it  at 
his  first  taking  out  of  the  water ;  and  they  may  think  so  with 
as  good  reason  as  we  do  that  our  Smelts  smell  like  violets  at 
their  being  first  caught,  which  I  think  is  a  truth.  Aldrovan- 
dus says,  the  Salmon,  the  Grayling,  and  Trout,  and  all  fish 
that  live  in  clear  and  sharp  streams,  are  made  by  their  mother 
Nature  of  such  exact  shape  and  pleasant  colors,  purposely  to 
invite  us  to  a  joy  and  contentedness  in  feasting  with  her. 
Whether  this  is  a  truth  or  not,  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  dispute ; 
but  't  is  certain,  all  that  write  of  the  Umber  declare  him  to  be 
very  medicinable.  And  Gesner  says,  that  the  fat  of  an  Um- 
ber or  Grayling  being  set,  with  a  little  honey,  a  day  or  two  \Xk 


Chap.  VI.] 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


135 


the  sun,  in  a  little  glass,  is  very  excellent  against  redness  or 
swarthiness,  or  anything  that  breeds  in  the  eyes.  Salvian  takes 
him  to  be  called  Umber  from  his  swift  swimming,  or  gliding 
out  of  sight  more  Hke  a  shadow  or  a  ghost  than  a  fish.  Much 
more  might  be  said  both  of  his  smell  and  taste :  but  I  shall 
only  tell  you,  that  St.  Ambrose,  the  glorious  Bishop  of  Milan, 
who  lived  when  the  Church  kept  fasting-days,  calls  him  the 
Flower-fish,  or  Flower  of  Fishes,  and  that  he  was  so  far  in 
love  with  him,  that  he  would  not  let  him  pass  without  the 
honor  of  a  long  discourse ;  but  I  must ;  and  pass  on  to  tell 
you  how  to  take  this  dainty  fish. 


First,  note,  that  he  grows  not  to  the  bigness  of  a  Trout ;  for 
the  biggest  of  them  do  not  usually  exceed  eighteen  inches. 
He  lives  in  such  rivers  as  the  Trout  does,  and  is  usually  taken 
with  the  same  baits  as  the  Trout  is,  and  after  the  same  manner, 
for  he  will  bite  both  at  the  minnow  or  worm,  or  fly :  though 
he  bites  not  often  at  the  minnow,  and  is  very  gamesome  at  the 
fly,  and  much  simpler,  and  therefore  bolder  than  a  Trout ;  for 
he  will  rise  twenty  times  at  a  fly,  if  you  miss  him,  and  yet  rise 
again.  He  has  been  taken  with  a  fly  made  of  the  red  feathers 
of  a  Parakita,  a  strange  outlandish  bird ;  and  he  will  rise  at  a 
fly  not  unlike  a  gnat  or  a  small  moth,  or,  indeed,  at  most  flies 
that  are  not  too  big.  He  is  a  fish  that  lurks  close  all  winter, 
but  is  very  pleasant  and  jolly  after  mid-April,  and  in  May,  and 
in  the  hot  months:  he  is  of  a  very  fine  shape;  his  flesh  is 
white,  his   teeth — those   little   ones   that  he  has — are  in  his 


136  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

throat,  yet  he  has  so  tender  a  mouth  that  he  is  oftener  lost  after 
an  Angler  has  hooked  him  than  any  other  fish.  Though  there 
be  many  of  these  fishes  in  the  delicate  river  Dove,  and  in 
Trent,  and  some  other  smaller  rivers,  as  that  which  runs  by 
Salisbury,  yet  he  is  not  so  general  a  fish  as  the  Trout,  nor  to 
me  so  good  to  eat  or  to  angle  for.  And  so  I  shall  take  my 
leave  of  him,  and  now  come  to  some  observations  of  the 
Salmon,  and  how  to  catch  him. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  Wl.— Observations  of  the  Salmon,  with  Directions  how  to 
Jishfor  him, 

PiSCATOR. 

'T^HE  Salmon  is  accounted  the  King  of  fresh-water  fish,  and 
^  is  ever  bred  in  rivers  relating  to  the  sea ;  yet  so  high,  or 
far  from  it,  as  admits  of  no  tincture  of  salt,  or  brackishness. 
He  is  said  to  breed  or  cast  his  spawn,  in  most  rivers,  in  the 
month  of  August :  some  say  that  then  they  dig  a  hole  or  grave 
in  a  safe  place  in  the  gravel,  and  there  place  their  eggs  or 
spawn,  after  the  melter  has  done  his  natural  office,  and  then 
hide  it  most  cunningly,  and  cover  it  over  with  gravel  and 
stones ;  and  then  leave  it  to  their  Creator's  protection,  who, 
by  a  gentle  heat  which  He  infuses  into  that  cold  element, 
makes  it  brood  and  beget  life  in  the  spawn,  and  to  become 
Samlets  early  in  the  spring  next  following. 

The  Salmons  having  spent  their  appointed  time,  and  done 
this  natural  duty,  in  the  fresh  waters,  they  then  haste  to  the 
sea  before  winter,  both  the  melter  and  spawner :  but  if  they 
be  stopped  by  flood-gates  or  weirs,  or  lost  in  the  fresh  waters, 
then  those  so  left  behind  by  degrees  grow  sick,  and  lean,  and 
unseasonable,  and  kipper ;  that  is  to  say,  have  bony  gristles 
grow  out  of  their  lower  chaps,  not  unlike  a  hawk's  beak,  which 
hinder  their  feeding ;  and,  in  time,  such  fish  so  left  behind 
pine  away  and  die.  'T  is  observed  that  he  may  live  thus  one 
year  from  the  sea ;  but  he  then  grows  insipid,  and  tasteless, 
and  loses  both  his  blood  and  strength,  and  pines  and  dies  the 
second  year.     And  't  is  noted,  that  those  Httle  Salmons  called 


138  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part! 

Skeggers,  which  abound  in  many  rivers  relating  to  the  sea,  are 
bred  by  such  sick  Salmons  that  might  not  go  to  the  sea,  and 
that  though  they  abound,  yet  they  never  thrive  to  any  consid- 
erable bigness. 

But  if  the  old  Salmon  gets  to  the  sea,  then  that  gristle  which 
shows  him  to  be  kipper  wears  away,  or  is  cast  off,  as  the  eagle 
is  said  to  cast  his  bill,  and  he  recovers  his  strength,  and  comes 
next  summer  to  the  same  river,  if  it  be  possible,  to  enjoy  the 
former  pleasures  that  there  possessed  him :  for,  as  one  has  wit- 
tily observed,  he  has,  like  some  persons  of  honor  and  riches, 
which  have  both  their  winter  and  summer  houses,  the  fresh 
rivers  for  summer,  and  the  salt  water  for  winter,  to  spend  his 
life  in ;  which  is  not,  as  Sir  Francis  Bacon  hath  observed  in 
his  "History  of  Life  and  Death,"  above  ten  years.  And 
it  is  to  be  observed,  that  though  the  Salmon  does  grow  big 
in  the  sea,  yet  he  grows  not  fat  but  in  fresh  rivers ;  and  it  is 
observed,  that  the  farther  they  get  from  the  sea,  they  be  both 
the  fatter  and  better. 

Next  I  shall  tell  you,  that  though  they  make  very  hard  shift 
to  get  out  of  the  fresh  rivers  into  the  sea,  yet  they  will  make 
harder  shift  to  get  out  of  the  salt  into  the  fresh  rivers,  to  spawn, 
or  possess  the  pleasures  that  they  have  formerly  found  in  them : 
to  which  end,  they  will  force  themselves  through  flood-gates, 
or  over  weirs,  or  hedges,  or  stops  in  the  water,  even  to  a  height 
beyond  common  belief.  Gesner  speaks  of  such  places  as  are 
known  to  be  above  eight  feet  high  above  water.  And  our 
Camden  mentions  in  his  Britannia  the  like  wonder  to  be  in 
Pembrokeshire,  where  the  river  Tivy  falls  into  the  sea ;  and 
that  the  fall  is  so  downright,  and  so  high,  that  the  people  stand 
and  wonder  at  the  strength  and  sleight  by  which  they  see  the 
Salmon  use  to  get  out  of  the  sea  into  the  said  river :  and  the 
manner  and  height  of  the  place  is  so  notable,  that  it  is  known 
far  by  the  name  of  the  Salmon-Leap.  Concerning  which  take 
this  also  out  of  Michael  Drayton,  my  honest  old  friend,  as  he 
tells  it  you  in  his  ''  Polyolbion." 


Chap.  VII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  1 39 

*'  And  when  the  Salmon  seeks  a  fresher  stream  to  find, 
Which  hither  from  the  sea  comes  yearly  by  his  kind ; 
As  he  towards  season  grows,  and  stems  the  wat'ry  tract 
Where  Tivy,  falling  down,  makes  an  high  cataract, 
Forced  by  the  rising  rocks  that  there  her  course  oppose. 
As  though  within  her  bounds  they  meant  her  to  enclose,-* 
Here,  when  the  laboring  fish  does  at  the  foot  arrive, 
And  finds  that  by  his  strength  he  does  but  vainly  strive ; 
His  tail  takes  in  his  mouth,  and,  bending  like  a  bow 
That  's  to  full  compass  drawn,  aloft  himself  doth  throw. 
Then  springing  at  his  height,  as  doth  a  little  wand, 
That,  bended  end  to  end,  and  started  from  man's  hand, 
Far  off  itself  doth  cast ;  so  does  the  Salmon  vault : 
And  if  at  first  he  fail,  his  second  summersault 
He  instantly  essays  ;  and,  from  his  nimble  ring 
Still  yerking,  never  leaves  until  himself  he  fling 
Above  the  opposing  stream." 

This  Michael  Drayton  tells  you  of  this  leap  or  summersault 
of  the  Salmon. 

And,  next,  I  shall  tell  you,  that  it  is  observed  by  Gesner 
and  others,  that  there  is  no  better  Salmon  than  in  England; 
and  that,  though  some  of  our  northern  counties  have  as  fat  and 
as  large  as  the  river  Thames,  yet  none  are  of  so  excellent  a 
taste. 

And  as  I  have  told  you  that  Sir  Francis  Bacon  observes,  the 
age  of  a  Salmon  exceeds  not  ten  years,  so  let  me  next  tell  you, 
that  his  growth  is  very  sudden  :  it  is  said,  that,  after  he  is  got 
into  the  sea,  he  becomes,  from  a  Samlet  not  so  big  as  a  Gud- 
geon, to  be  a  Salmon,  in  as  short  a  time  as  a  gosling  becomes 
to  be  a  goose.  Much  of  this  has  been  observed,  by  tying  a 
ribbon,  or  some  known  tape  or  thread,  in  the  tail  of  some 
young  Salmons,  which  have  been  taken  in  weirs  as  they  have 
swimmed  towards  the  salt  water,  and  then  by  taking  a  part  of 
them  again,  with  the  known  mark,  at  the  same  place,  at  their 
return  from  the  sea,  which  is  usually  about  six  months  after ; 
and  the  like  experiment  hath  been  tried  upon  young  swallows, 
who  have,  after  six  months'  absence,  been  observed  to  return 


140 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


[Part  I. 


to  the  same  chimney,  there  to  make  their  nests  and  hab- 
itations for  the  summer  following :  which  has  incHned  many 
to  think,  that  every  Salmon  usually  returns  to  the  same  river  in 
which  it  was  bred,  as  young  pigeons  taken  out  of  the  same 
dove-cote  have  also  been  observed  to  do. 

And  you  are  yet  to  observe  further,  that  the  he-Salmon  is 
usually  bigger  than  the  Spawner ;  and  that  he  is  more  kipper, 
and  less  able  to  endure  a  winter  in  the  fresh  water,  than  she  is : 
yet  she  is,  at  that  time  of  looking  less  kipper  and  better,  as 
watery,  and  as  bad  meat. 

And  yet  you  are  to  observe,  that  as  there  is  no  general  rule 
without  an  exception,  so  there  are  some  few  rivers  in  this 
nation  that  have  Trouts  and  Salmons  in  season  in  winter ;  as 
*t  is  certain  there  be  in  the  river  Wye  in  Monmouthshire, 
where  they  be  in  season,  as  Camden  observes,  from  September 
till  April.  But,  my  Scholar,  the  observation  of  this  and  many 
other  things,  I  must  in  manners  omit,  because  they  will  prove 
too  large  for  our  narrow  compass  of  time ;  and  therefore  I  shall 
next  fall  upon  my  direction  how  to  fish  for  this  Salmon. 


And  for  that :  first  you  shall  observe,  that  usually  he  stays 
not  long  in  a  place,  as  Trouts  will,  but,  as  I  said,  covets  still 
to  go  nearer  the  spring-head ;  and  that  he  does  not  as  the 
Trout,  and  many  other  fish,  lie  near  the  water-side,  or  banks, 


Chap.  VII]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  141 

or  roots  of  trees,  but  swims  in  the  deep  and  broad  parts  of  the 
water,  and  usually  in  the  middle,  and  near  the  ground,  and  that 
there  you  are  to  fish  for  him ;  and  that  he  is  to  be  caught  as 
the  Trout  is,  with  a  worm,  a  minnow,  which  some  call  a  Penk, 
or  with  a  fly. 

And  you  are  to  observe,  that  he  is  very  seldom  observed  to 
bite  at  a  minnow,  yet  sometimes  he  will,  and  not  usually  at  a 
fly,  but  more  usually  at  a  worm,  and  then  most  usually  at  a 
Lob  or  garden- worm,  which  should  be  well  scoured,  that  is  to 
say,  kept  seven  or  eight  days  in  moss  before  you  fish  with  them  : 
and  if  you  double  your  time  of  eight  into  sixteen,  twenty,  or 
more  days,  it  is  still  the  better ;  for  the  worms  will  still  be 
clearer,  tougher,  and  more  lively,  and  continue  so  longer  upon 
your  hook.  And  they  may  be  kept  longer  by  keeping  them 
cool  and  in  fresh  moss;  and  some  advise  to  put  camphire 
into  it. 

Note  also,  that  many  use  to  fish  for  a  Salmon  with  a  ring  of 
wire  on  the  top  of  their  rod,  through  which  the  line  may  run 
to  as  great  a  length  as  is  needful  when  he  is  hooked.  And  to 
that  end,  some  use  a  wheel  about  the  middle  of  their  rod,  or 
near  their  hand,  which  is  to  be  observed  better  by  seeing  one 
of  them,  than  by  a  large  demonstration  of  words. 

And  now  I  shall  tell  you  that  which  may  be  called  a  secret. 
I  have  been  a-fishing  with  old  Oliver  Henley,  now  with  God, 
a  noted  fisher  both  for  Trout  and  Salmon,  and  have  observed 
that  he  would  usually  take  three  or  four  worms  out  of  his  bag, 
and  put  them  into  a  little  box  in  his  pocket,  where  he  would 
usually  let  them  continue  half  an  hour  or  more  before  he  would 
bait  his  hook  with  them ;  I  have  asked  him  his  reason,  and  he 
has  replied,  '^  He  did  but  pick  the  best  out  to  be  in  readiness 
against  he  baited  his  hook  the  next  time"  :  but  he  has  been 
observed,  both  by  others  and  by  myself,  to  catch  more  fish 
than  I  or  any  other  body  that  has  ever  gone  a-fishing  with  him 
could  do,  and  especially  Salmons.  And  I  have  been  told 
lately,  by  one  of  his  most  intimate  and  secret  friends,  that  the 


1:42  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

box  in  which  he  put  those  worms  was  anointed  with  a  drop, 
or  two  or  three,  of  the  oil  of  ivy-berries,  made  by  expression  or 
infusion ;  and  told,  that  by  the  worms  remaining  in  that  box 
an  hour,  or  a  like  time,  they  had  incorporated  a  kind  of  smell 
that  was  irresistibly  attractive,  enough  to  force  any  fish  within 
the  smell  of  them  to  bite.  This  I  heard  not  long  since  from  a 
friend,  but  have  not  tried  it ;  yet  I  grant  it  probable,  and  refer 
my  reader  to  Sir  Francis  Bacon's  ''Natural  History,"  where 
he  proves  fishes  may  hear,  and,  doubtless,  can  more  probably 
smell ;  and  I  am  certain  Gesner  says  the  Otter  can  smell  in  the 
water,  and  I  know  not  but  that  fish  may  do  so  too.  'T  is  left 
for  a  lover  of  angling,  or  any  that  desires  to  improve  that  art, 
to  try  this  conclusion. 

I  shall  also  impart  two  other  experiments,  but  not  tried  by 
myself,  which  I  will  deliver  in  the  same  words  that  they  were 
given  me  by  an  excellent  angler  and  a  very  friend,  in  writing : 
he  told  me  the  latter  was  too  good  to  be  told,  but  in  a  learned 
language,  lest  it  should  be  made  common. 

"Take  the  stinking  oil  drawn  out  of  Polypody  of  the  oak 
by  a  retort,  mixed  with  turpentine  and  hive-honey,  and 
anoint  your  bait  therewith,  and  it  will  doubtless  draw  the  fish 
to  it." 

The  other  is  this:  ''Vulnera  Hederae  grandissimae  inflicta 
sudant  Balsamun  oleo  gelato,  albicantique  persimile,  odoris 
vero  longesuavissimi." 

*T  is  supremely  sweet  to  any  fish,  and  yet  assafoetida  may  do 
the  like. 

But  in  these  things  I  have  no  great  faith,  yet  grant  it  proba- 
ble ;  and  have  had  from  some  chemical  men,  namely,  from  Sir 
George  Hastings  and  others,  an  afiirmation  of  them  to  be 
very  advantageous :  but  no  more  of  these,  especially  not  in 
this  place. 

I  might  here,  before  I  take  my  leave  of  the  Salmon,  tell  you, 
that  there  is  more  than  one  sort  of  them,  as  namely,  a  Tecon, 
and  another  called  in  some  places  a  Samlet,  or  by  some,  a 


Chap.  VII.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  143 

Skegger :  but  these  and  others,  which  I  forbear  to  name,  may 
be  fish  of  another  kind,  and  differ,  as  we  know  a  Herring  and 
a  Pilcher  do ;  which,  I  think,  are  as  different  as  the  rivers  in 
which  they  breed,  and  must  by  me  be  left  to  the  disquisitions 
of  men  of  more  leisure,  and  of  greater  abilities  than  I  profess 
myself  to  have. 

And  lastly,  I  am  to  borrow  so  much  of  your  promised  pa- 
tience, as  to  tell  you  that  the  Trout  or  Salmon,  being  in  season, 
have  at  their  first  taking  out  of  the  water,  which  continues 
during  life,  their  bodies  adorned,  the  one  with  such  red  spots, 
and  the  other  with  such  black  or  blackish  spots,  as  give  them 
such  an  addition  of  natural  beauty  as,  I  think,  was  never  given 
to  any  woman  by  the  artificial  paint  or  patches  in  which  they 
so  much  pride  themselves  in  this  age.  And  so  I  shall  leave 
them  both,  and  proceed  to  some  observations  on  the  Pike. 


THE    FOURTH    Da\. 

Chap.  VUL—Observations  of  the  Luce  or  Pike,  with  Directions 
how  tojishfor  him, 

PiSCATOR. 

THE  mighty  Luce  or  Pike  is  taken  to  be  the  Tyrant,  as  the 
Salmon  is  the  King,  of  the  fresh  waters.  'T  is  not  to  be 
doubted  but  that  they  are  bred,  some  by  generation,  and  some 
not :  as  namely,  of  a  weed  called  Pickerel-weed,  unless  learned 
Gesner  be  much  mistaken ;  for  he  says,  this  weed  and  other 
glutinous  matter,  with  the  help  of  the  sun's  heat  in  some  par- 
ticular months, .  and  some  ponds  apted  for  it  by  nature,  do  be- 
come Pikes.  But  doubtless  divers  Pikes  are  bred  after  this 
manner,  or  are  brought  into  some  ponds  some  such  other  ways 
as  are  past  man's  finding  out,  of  which  we  have  daily  testimo- 
nies. 

Sir  Francis  Bacon,  in  his  **  History  of  Life  and  Death,"  ob- 
serves the  Pike  to  be  the  longest-lived  of  any  fresh- water  fish, 
and  yet  he  computes  it  to  be  not  usually  above  forty  years ; 
and  others  think  it  to  be  not  above  ten  years :  and  yet  Gesner 
mentions  a  Pike  taken  in  Swedeland  in  the  year  1449,  with  a 
ring  about  his  neck,  declaring  he  was  put  into  that  pond  by 
Frederick  the  Second,  more  than  two  hundred  years  before  he 
was  last  taken,  as  by  the  inscription  in  that  ring,  being  Greek, 
was  interpreted  by  the  then  Bishop  of  Worms.  But  of  this 
no  more,  but  that  it  is  observed  that  the  old  or  very  great 
Pikes  have  in  them  more  of  state  than  goodness ;  the  smaller 
or  middle-sized  Pikes  being  by  the  most  and  choicest  palates 


Chap.  VIII.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  14$ 

observed  to  be  the  best  meat :  and,  contrary,  the  Eel  is  ob- 
served to  be  the  better  for  age  and  bigness. 

All  Pikes  that  live  long  prove  chargeable  to  their  keepers, 
because  their  life  is  maintained  by  the  death  of  so  many  other 
fish,  even  those  of  their  own  kind  ;  which  has  made  him  by 
some  writers  to  be  called  the  Tyrant  of  the  Rivers,  or  the 
Fresh-Water-Wolf,  by  reason  of  his  bold,  greedy,  devouring 
disposition ;  which  is  so  keen,  as  Gesner  relates,  a  man  going 
to  a  pond,  where  it  seems  a  Pike  had  devoured  all  the  fish,  to 
water  his  mule,  had  a  Pike  bit  his  mule  by  the  Ups ;  to  which 
the  Pike  hung  so  fast,  that  the  mule  drew  him  out  of  the  water, 
and  by  that  accident  the  owner  of  the  mule  angled  out  the 
Pike.  And  the  same  Gesner  observes,  that  a  maid  in  Poland 
had  a  Pike  bit  her  by  the  foot  as  she  was  washing  clothes  in  a 
pond.  And  I  have  heard  the  like  of  a  woman  in  KiUingworth 
Pond,  not  far  from  Coventry.  But  I  have  been  assured  by  my 
friend  Mr.  Seagrave,  of  whom  I  spake  to  you  formerly,  that 
keeps  tame  Otters,  that  he  hath  known  a  Pike,  in  extreme 
hunger,  fight  with  one  of  his  Otters  for  a  Carp  that  the  Otter 
had  caught,  and  was  then  bringing  out  of  the  water.  I  have 
told  you  who  relate  these  things,  and  tell  you  they  are  persons 
of  credit;  and  shall  conclude  this  observation  by  telling  you 
what  a  wise  man  has  observed  :  '*  It  is  a  hard  thing  to  persuade 
the  belly,  because  it  has  no  ears." 

But  if  these  relations  be  disbelieved,  it  is  too  evident  to  be 
doubted  that  a  Pike  will  devour  a  fish  of  his  own  kind,  that 
shall  be  bigger  than  his  belly  or  throat  will  receive,  and  swallow 
a  part  of  him,  and  let  the  other  part  remain  in  his  mouth  till 
the  swallowed  part  be  digested,  and  then  swallow  that  othei 
part  that  was  in  his  mouth,  and  so  put  it  over  by  degrees  > 
which  is  jiot  unlike  the  ox,  and  some  other  beasts,  taking  their 
meat,  not  out  of  their  mouth  immediately  into  their  belly,  but 
first  into  some  place  betwixt,  and  then  chew  it,  or  digest  it  by 
degrees  after^  which  is  called  chewing  the  cud.     And  doubt- 


146  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

less  Pikes  will  bite  when  they  are  not  hungry,  but,  as  some 
think,  even  for  very  anger,  when  a  tempting  bait  comes  near 
to  them. 

And  it  is  observed  that  the  Pike  will  eat  venomous  things, 
as  some  kind  of  frogs  are,  and  yet  live  without  being  harmed 
by  them ;  for,  as  some  say,  he  has  in  him  a  natural  balsam,  or 
antidote  against  all  poison :  and  he  has  a  strange  heat,  that, 
though  it  appear  to  us  to  be  cold,  can  yet  digest,  or  put  over, 
any  fish-flesh,  by  degrees,  without  being  sick.  And  others  ob- 
serve, that  he  never  eats  the  venomous  frog  till  he  have  first 
killed  her,  and  then — as  ducks  are  observed  to  do  to  frogs  in 
spawning-time,  at  which  time  some  frogs  are  observed  to  be 
venomous — so  thoroughly  washed  her,  by  tumbling  her  up  and 
down  in  the  water,  that  he  may  devour  her  without  danger. 
And  Gesner  affirms  that  a  Polonian  gentleman  did  faithfully 
assure  him  he  had  seen  two  young  geese  at  one  time  in  the 
belly  of  a  Pike.  And  doubtless  a  Pike,  in  his  height  of  hunger, 
will  bite  at  and  devour  a  dog  that  swims  in  a  pond ;  and  there 
have  been  examples  of  it,  or  the  like ;  for,  as  I  told  you,  "  The 
belly  has  no  ears  when  hunger  comes  upon  it." 

The  Pike  is  also  observed  to  be  a  solitary,  melancholy,  and 
a  bold  fish  :  melancholy,  because  he  always  swims  or  rests  him- 
self alone,  and  never  swims  in  shoals  or  with  company,  as 
Roach  and  Qace,  and  most  other  fish  do :  and  bold,  because 
he  fears  not  a  shadow,  or  to  see  or  be  seen  of  anybody,  as  the 
Trout  and  Chub  and  all  other  fish  do. 

And  it  is  observed  by  Gesner,  that  the  jaw-bones  and  hearts 
and  galls  of  Pikes  are  very  medicinable  for  several  diseases ;  or 
to  stop  blood,  to  abate  fevers,  to  cure  agues,  to  oppose  or  ex- 
pel the  infection  of  the  plague,  and  to  be  many  ways  medicin- 
able and  useful  for  the  good  of  mankind :  but  he  observes, 
that  the  biting  of  a  Pike  is  venomous  and  hard  to  be  cured. 

And  it  is  observed,  that  the  Pike  is  a  fish  that  breeds  but  once 
a  year,  and  that  other  fish,  as  namely  Loaches,  do  breed  pftener, 


Chap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  147 

as  we  are  certain  tame  pigeons  do  almost  every  month ;  and 
yet  the  hawk,  a  bird  of  prey,  as  the  Pike  is  of  fish,  breeds  but 
once  in  twelve  months.  And  you  are  to  note,  that  his  time  of 
breeding,  or  spawning,  is  usually  about  the  end  of  February,  or 
somewhat  later,  in  March,  as  the  weather  proves  colder  or 
warmer,  and  to  note  that  his  manner  of  breeding  is  thus :  a  he 
and  a  she  Pike  will  usually  go  together  out  of  a  river  into  some 
ditch  or  creek,  and  that  there  the  spawner  casts  her  eggs,  and 
the  melter  hovers  over  her  all  that  time  that  she  is  casting 
her  spawn,  but  touches  her  not. 

I  might  say  more  of  this,  but  it  might  be  thought  curiosity 
or  worse,  and  shall  therefore  forbear  it,  and  take  up  so  much 
of  your  attention  as  to  tell  you  that  the  best  of  Pikes  are  noted 
to  be  in  rivers ;  next,  those  in  great  ponds,  or  meres ;  and  the 
worst,  in  small  ponds. 

But  before  I  proceed  further,  I  am  to  tell  you  that  there  is  a 
great  antipathy  betwixt  the  Pike  and  some  frogs :  and  this 
may  appear  to  the  reader  of  Dubravius,  a  Bishop  in  Bohemia, 
who,  in  his  book  "■  Of  Fish  and  Fish-Ponds, "  relates  what  he 
says  he  saw  with  his  own  eyes,  and  could  not  forbear  to  tell 
the  reader.     Which  was  : — 

'^  As  he  and  the  Bishop  Thurzo  were  walking  by  a  large  pond 
in  Bohemia,  they  saw  a  Frog,  when  the  Pike  lay  very  sleepily 
and  quiet  by  the  shore-side,  leap  upon  his  head  ;  and  the  Frog 
having  expressed  malice  or  anger  by  his  swollen  cheeks  and 
staring  eyes,  did  stretch  out  his  legs  and  embrace  the  Pike's 
head,  and  presently  reached  them  to  his  eyes,  tearing  with 
them  and  his  teeth  those  tender  parts :  the  Pike,  moved  with 
anguish,  moves  up  and  down  the  water,  and  rubs  himself 
against  weeds,  and  whatever  he  thought  might  quit  him  of 
his  enemy :  but  all  in  vain,  for  the  Frog  did  continue  to  ride 
triumphantly,  and  to  bite  and  torment  the  Pike,  till  his  strength 
failed :  and  then  the  Frog  sunk  with  the  Pike  to  the  bottom  of 
the  water :  then  presently  the  Frog  appeared  again  at  the  top 


148  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

and  croaked,  and  seemed  to  rejoice  like  a  conqueror,  after 
which  he  presently  retired  to  his  secret  hole.  The  Bishop, 
that  had  beheld  the  battle,  called  his  fisherman  to  fetch  his 
nets,  and  by  all  means  to  get  the  Pike,  that  they  might  de^ 
clare  what  had  happened :  and  the  Pike  was  drawn  forth,  and 
both  his  eyes  eaten  out ;  at  which  when  they  began  to  wonder, 
the  fisherman  wished  them  to  forbear,  and  assured  them  he  was 
certain  that  Pikes  were  often  so  served." 

I  told  this,  which  is  to  be  read  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  the 
first  book  of  Dubravius,  unto  a  friend,  who  replied,  ''  It  was 
as  improbable  as  to  have  the  mouse  scratch  out  the  cat's  eyes." 
But  he  did  not  consider  that  there  be  Fishing- Frogs,  which 
the  Dalmatians  call  the  Water-Devil,  of  which  I  might  tell  you 
as  wonderful  a  story  :  but  I  shall  tell  you,  that  't  is  not  to  be 
doubted  but  that  there  be  some  Frogs  so  fearful  of  the  Water- 
Snake,  that,  when  they  swim  in  a  place  in  which  they  fear  to 
meet  with  him,  they  then  get  a  reed  across  into  their  mouths, 
which,  if  they  two  meet  by  accident,  secures  the  Frog  from 
the  strength  and  malice  of  the  snake ;  and  note,  that  the  Frog 
usually  swims  the  fastest  of  the  two. 

And  let  me  tell  you,  that  as  there  be  Water  and  Land  Frogs, 
so  there  be  Land  and  Water  Snakes.  Concerning  which,  take 
this  observation,  that  the  Land-Snake  breeds  and  hatches  her 
eggs,  which  become  young  snakes,  in  some  old  dunghill,  or  a 
like  hot  place :  but  the  Water-Snake,  which  is  not  venomous, 
and,  as  I  have  been  assured  by  a  great  observer  of  such  secrets, 
does  not  hatch,  but  breed  her  young  alive ;  which  she  does 
not  then  forsake,  but  bides  with  them,  and  in  case  of  danger 
will  take  them  all  into  her  mouth,  and  swim  away  from  any 
apprehended  danger,  and  then  let  them  out  again  when  she 
thinks  all  danger  to  be  past:  these  be  accidents  that  we 
anglers  sometimes  see,  and  often  talk  of. 

But  whither  am  I  going  ?  I  had  almost  lost  myself  by  re- 
membering the  discourse  of  Dubravius.     I  will  therefore  stop 


Chap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  149 

here,  aiid  tell  you  according  to  my  promise  how  to  catch  this 
Pike. 


His  feeding  is  usually  of  fish  or  frogs,  and  sometimes  a 
weed  of  his  own  called  Pickerel-weed.  Of  which  I  told  you 
some  think  some  Pikes  are  bred ;  for  they  have  observed,  that 
where  none  have  been  put  into  ponds,  yet  they  have  there 
found  many ;  and  that  there  has  been  plenty  of  that  weed  in 
those  ponds,  and  that  that  weed  both  breeds  and  feeds  them  ; 
but  whether  those  Pikes  so  bred  will  ever  breed  by  generation 
as  the  others  do,  I  shall  leave  to  the  disquisitions  of  men  of 
more  curiosity  and  leisure  than  I  profess  myself  to  have ;  and 
shall  proceed  to  tell  you  that  you  may  fish  for  a  Pike,  either 
with  a  ledger  or  a  walking  bait.  And  you  are  to  note,  that  I 
call  that  a  ledger-bait  which  is  fixed  or  made  to  rest  in  one 
certain  place  when  you  shall  be  absent  from  it ;  and  I  call  that 
a  walking-bait  <\yhich  you  take  with  you,  and  have  ever  in  mo- 
tion. Concerning  which  two,  I  shall  give  you  this  direction ; 
that  your  Ledger-bait  is  best  to  be  a  living  bait,  though  a  dead 
one  may  catch,  whether  it  be  a  fish  or  a  frog ;  and  that  you  may 
make  them  live  the  longer,  you  may,  or  indeed  you  must,  take 
this  course. 

First,  for  your  live-bait.  Of  fish,  a  Roach  or  Dace  is,  I  think, 
best  and  most  tempting,  and  a  Perch  is  the  longest  lived  on  a 
hook,  and  having  cut  off  his  fin  on  his  back,  which  may  be  done 
without  hurting  him,  you  must  take  your  knife,  which  cannot 


I50  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Pa«t  !, 

be  too  sharp,  and  betwixt  the  head  and  the  fin  on  the  back,  cut 
or  make  an  incision,  or  such  a  scar,  as  you  may  put  the  arming 
wire  of  your  hook  into  it,  with  as  little  bruising  or  hurting  the 
fish  as  art  and  diligence  will  enable  you  to  do ;  and  so  carrying 
your  arming-wire  along  his  back,  unto  or  near  the  tail  of  your 
fish,  betwixt  the  skin  and  the  body  of  it,  draw  out  that  wire  or 
arming  of  your  hook  at  another  scar  near  to  his  tail :  then  tie 
him  about  it  with  thread,  but  no  harder  than  of  necessity  to 
prevent  hurting  the  fish.  And  the  better  to  avoid  hurting  the 
fish,  some  have  a  kind  of  probe  to  open  the  way,  for  the  more 
easy  entrance  and  passage  of  your  wire  or  arming ;  but  as  for 
these,  time,  and  a  little  experience,  will  teach  you  better  than 
I  can  by  words ;  therefore  I  will  for  the  present  say  no  more  of 
this,  but  come  next  to  give  you  some  directions  how  to  bait 
your  hook  with  a  Frog. 

Ven.  But,  good  Master,  did  you  not  say  even  now,  that 
some  Frogs  were  venomous,  and  is  it  not  dangerous  to  touch 
them? 

Pisc.  Yes,  but  I  will  give  you  some  rules  or  cautions  con- 
cerning them :  and  first,  you  are  to  note,  that  there  are  two 
kinds  of  Frogs ;  that  is  to  say,  if  I  may  so  express  myself,  a 
Flesh  and  a  Fish  Frog.  By  Flesh-frogs,  I  mean  frogs  that  breed 
and  live  on  the  land ;  and  of  these  there  be  several  sorts  also, 
and  of  several  colors,  some  being  speckled,  some  greenish,  some 
blackish  or  brown  :  the  Green-frog,  which  is  a  small  one,  is  by 
Topsell  taken  to  be  venomous ;  and  so  is  the  Padock  or  Frog- 
padock,  which  usually  keeps  or  breeds  on  the  land,  and  is  very 
large,  and  bony,  and  big,  especially  the  she-frog  of  that  kind ; 
yet  these  will  sometimes  come  into  the  water,  but  it  is  not  often  : 
and  the  Land-frogs  are  some  of  them  observed  by  him  to  breed 
by  laying  eggs  ;  and  others  to  breed  of  the  slime  and  dust  of  the 
earth,  and  that  in  winter  they  turn  to  slime  again,  and  that  the 
next  summer  that  very  slime  returns  to  be  a  living  creature ; 
this  is  the  opinion  of  Pliny.  And  Cardanus  undertakes  to  give 
a  reason  for  the  raining  of  frogs :  but  if  it  were  in  my  power,  it 


Chap.viili        the  complete  angler.  151 

should  rain  none  but  Water-frogs,  for  those,  I  think,  are  not 
venomous,  especially  the  right  Water-frog,  which,  about  Feb- 
ruary or  March,  breeds  in  ditches  by  slime,  and  blackish  eggs 
in  that  slime :  about  which  time  of  breeding,  the  he  and  she 
frogs  are  observed  to  use  divers  summersaults,  and  to  croak  and 
make  a  noise,  which  the  Land-frog  or  Padock-frog  never  does. 
Now  of  these  Water-frogs,  if  you  intend  to  fish  with  a  frog  for 
a  Pike,  you  are  to  choose  the  yellowest  that  you  can  get,  for 
that  the  Pike  ever  likes  best.  And  thus  use  your  frog,  that  he 
may  continue  long  alive. 

Put  your  hook  into  his  mouth,  which  you  may  easily  do  from 
the  middle  of  April  till  August ;  and  then  the  frog's  mouth 
grows  up,  and  he  continues  so  for  at  least  six  months  without 
eating,  but  is  sustained,  none  but  He  whose  Name  is  Wonder- 
ful knows  how :  I  say,  put  your  hook,  I  mean  the  arming- wire, 
through  his  mouth,  and  out  at  his  gills,  and  then  with  a  fine 
needle  and  silk  sew  the  upper  part  of  his  leg  with  only  one  stitch 
to  the  arming-wire  of  your  hook,  or  tie  the  frog's  leg  above  the 
upper  joint  to  the  armed  wire :  and  in  so  doing,  use  him  as 
though  you  loved  him,  that  is,  harm  him  as  little  as  you  may 
possibly,  that  he  may  live  the  longer. 

And  now,  having  given  you  this  direction  for  the  baiting 
your  Ledger-hook  with  a  live  fish  or  frog,  my  next  must  be  to 
tell  you  how  your  hook  thus  baited  must  or  may  be  used  :  and 
it  is  thus.  Having  fastened  your  hook  to  a  line,  which,  if  it 
be  not  fourteen  yards  long,  should  not  be  less  than  twelve,  you 
are  to  fasten  that  line  to  any  bough  near  to  a  hole  where  a  Pike 
is,  or  is  likely  to  lie,  or  to  have  a  haunt ;  and  then  wind  your 
line  on  any  forked  stick,  all  your  line,  except  half  a  yard  of  it, 
or  rather  more ;  and  split  that  forked  stick  with  such  a  nick  or 
notch  at  one  end  of  it  as  may  keep  the  line  from  any  more  of  it 
ravelling  from  about  the  stick  than  so  much  of  it  as  you  intend. 
And  choose  your  forked  stick  to  be  of  that  bigness  as  may  keep 
the  fish  or  frog  from  pulling  the  forked  stick  under  the  water 
till  the  Pike  bites,  and  then  the  Pike  having  pulled  the  line 


152  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

forth  of  the  cleft  or  nick  of  that  stick  in  which  it  was  gently 
fastened,  he  will  have  line  enough  to  go  to  his  hold  and  pouch 
the  bait.  And  if  you  would  have  this  Ledger-bait  to  keep  at  a 
fixed  place,  undisturbed  by  wind  or  other  accidents,  which  may 
drive  it  to  the  shore-side, — for  you  are  to  note,  that  it  is  like- 
liest to  catch  a  Pike  in  the  midst  of  the  water, — then  hang  a 
small  plummet  of  lead,  a  stone,  or  piece  of  tile,  or  a  turf,  in  a 
string,  and  cast  it  into  the  water,  with  the  forked  stick,  to  hang 
upon  the  ground,  to  be  a  kind  of  anchor  to  keep  the  forked 
stick  from  moving  out  of  your  intended  place  till  the  Pike  come. 
This  I  take  to  be  a  very  good  way  to  use  so  many  Ledger-baits 
as  you  intend  to  make  trial  of. 

Or  if  you  bait  your  hooks  thus  with  live  fish  or  frogs,  and  in 
a  windy  day,  fasten  them  thus  to  a  bough  or  bundle  of  straw, 
and  by  the  help  of  that  wind  can  get  them  to  move  across  a 
pond  or  mere,  you  are  like  to  stand  still  on  the  shore  and  see 
sport  presently  if  there  be  any  store  of  Pikes  :  or  these  live-baits 
may  make  sport,  being  tied  about  the  body  or  wings  of  a  goose 
or  duck,  and  she  chased  over  a  pond.  And  the  like  may  be 
done  with  turning  three  or  four  live-baits,  thus  fastened  to 
bladders,  or  boughs,  or  bottles  of  hay  or  flags,  to  swim  down  a 
river,  whilst  you  walk  quietly  alone  on  the  shore,  and  are  still 
in  expectation  of  sport.  The  rest  must  be  taught  you  by  prac- 
tice, for  time  will  not  allow  me  to  say  more  of  this  kind  of  fish- 
ing with  live-baits. 

And  for  your  dead-bait  for  a  Pike,  for  that  you  may  be  taught 
by  one  day's  going  a-fishing  with  me,  or  any  other  body  that 
fishes  for  him ;  for  the  baiting  your  hook  with  a  dead  Gudgeon 
or  a  Roach,  and  moving  it  up  and  down  the  water,  is  too  easy 
a  thing  to  take  up  any  time  to  direct  you  to  do  it :  and  yet, 
because  I  cut  you  short  in  that,  I  will  commute  for  it  by  telling 
you  that  that  was  told  me  for  a  secret.     It  is  this. 

Dissolve  gum  of  ivy  in  oil  of  spike,  and  therewith  anoint 
your  dead-bait  for  a  Pike  ;  and  then  cast  it  into  a  likely  place, 
and  when  it  has  lain  a  short  time  at  the  bottom,  draw  it  tow- 


•<:hap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  !S3 

aids  the  top  of  the  water,  and  so  up  the  stream :  and  it  is 
more  than  Hkely  that  you  have  a  Pike  follow  with  more  than 
common  eagerness. 

And  some  affirm,  that  any  bait  anointed  with  the  marrow  of 
the  thigh-bone  of  an  Hern  is  a  great  temptation  to  any  fish. 

These  have  not  been  tried  by  me,  but  told  me  by  a  friend  of 
note,  that  pretended  to  do  me  a  courtesy.  But  if  this  direc- 
tion to  catch  a  Pike  thus  do  you  no  good,  yet  I  am  certain  this 
direction  how  to  roast  him  when  he  is  caught  is  choicely  good, 
for  I  have  tried  it ;  and  it  is  somewhat  the  better  for  not  being 
common  :  but  with  my  direction  you  must  take  this  caution, 
that  your  Pike  must  not  be  a  small  one,  that  is,  it  must  be 
more  than  half  a  yard,  and  should  be  bigger. 

First,  open  your  Pike  at  the  gills,  and,  if  need  be,  cut  also 
a  little  slit  towards  the  belly.  Out  of  these  take  his  guts ;  and 
keep  his  liver,  which  you  are  to  shred  very  small  with  thyme, 
sweet  marjoram,  and  a  little  winter-savory ;  to  these  put  some 
pickled  oysters,  and  some  anchovies,  two  or  three ;  both  these 
last  whole,  for  the  anchovies  will  melt,  and  the  oysters  should 
not;  to  these  you  must  add  also  a  pound  of  sweet  butter, 
which  you  are  to  mix  with  the  herbs  that  are  shred,  and  let 
them  all  be  well  salted.  If  the  Pike  be  more  than  a  yard 
long,  then  you  may  put  into  these  herbs  more  than  a  pound, 
or  if  he  be  less,  then  less  butter  will  suffice.  These  being  thus 
mixed,  with  a  blade  or  two  of  mace,  must  be  put  into  the 
Pike's  belly,  and  then  his  belly  so  sewed  up  as  to  keep  all  the 
butter  in  his  belly  if  it  be  possible ;  if  not,  then  as  much  of  it 
as  you  possibly  can :  but  take  not  off  the  scales.  Then  you 
are  to  thrust  the  spit  through  his  mouth,  out  at  his  tail ;  and 
then  take  four,  or  five,  or  six  split  sticks,  or  very  thin  laths, 
and  a  convenient  quantity  of  tape  or  filleting ;  these  laths  are 
to  be  tied  round  about  the  Pike's  body  from  his  head  to  his 
tail,  and  the  tape  tied  somewhat  thick  to  prevent  his  breaking 
or  falling  off  from  the  spit.  Let  him  be  roasted  very  leisurely, 
and  often  basted  with  claret- wine,  and  anchovies^  »nd  butter, 


154  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

mixed  together ;  and  also  with  what  moisture  falls  from  him 
into  the  pan.  When  you  have  roasted  him  sufficiently,  you 
are  to  hold  under  him,  when  you  unwind  or  cut  the  tape  that 
ties  him,  such  a  dish  as  you  purpose  to  eat  him  out  of;  and  let 
him  fall  into  it  with  the  sauce  that  is  roasted  in  his  belly ;  and 
by  this  means  the  Pike  will  be  kept  unbroken  and  complete. 
Then,  to  the  sauce  which  was  within,  and  also  that  sauce  in 
the  pan,  you  are  to  add  a  fit  quantity  of  the  best  butter,  and 
to  squeeze  the  juice  of  three  or  four  oranges :  lastly,  you  may 
either  put  into  the  Pike,  with  the  oysters,  two  cloves  of  garlic, 
and  take  it  whole  out,  when  the  Pike  is  cut  off  the  spit ;  or  to 
give  the  sauce  a  haut-gout,  let  the  dish  into  which  you  let  the 
Pike  fall  be  rubbed  with  it.  The  using  or  not  using  of  this 
garlic  is  left  to  your  discretion.     M.  B. 

This  dish  of  meat  is  too  good  for  any  but  anglers,  or  very 
honest  men ;  and  I  trust  you  will  prove  both,  and  therefore  I 
have  trusted  you  with  this  secret. 

Let  me  next  tell  you,  that  Gesner  tells  us  there  are  no  Pikes 
in  Spain,  and  that  the  largest  are  in  the  Lake  Thrasymene  in 
Italy  ;  and  the  next,  if  not  equal  to  them,  are  the  Pikes  of 
England ;  and  that  in  England,  Lincolnshire  boasted  to  have 
the  biggest.  Just  so  doth  Sussex  boast  of  four  sorts  of  fish; 
namely,  an  Arundel  Mullet,  a  Chichester  Lobster,  a  Shelsey 
Cockle,  and  an  Amerly  Trout. 

But  I  will  take  up  no  more  of  your  time  with  this  relation, 
but  proceed  to  give  you  some  observations  of  the  Carp,  and 
how  to  angle  for  him,  and  to  dress  him: — but  not  till  he  is 
caught. 


THE    FOURTH     DAY. 

Chap.  IX.— Observations  of  the  Carp,  with  Directions  how  to 
fish  for  him. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Carp  is  the  Queen  of  Rivers  :  a  stately,  a  good,  and  a 
*  very  subtle  fish,  that  was  not  at  first  bred,  nor  hath  been 
long,  in  England,  but  is  now  naturaHzed.  It  is  said,  they 
were  brought  hither  by  one  Mr.  Mascal,  a  gentleman  that  then 
lived  at  Plumsted  in  Sussex,  a  county  that  abounds  more  with 
this  fish  than  any  in  this  nation. 

You  may  remember  that  I  told  you,  Gesner  says  there  are 
no  Pikes  in  Spain ;  and,  doubtless,  there  was  a  time,  about  a 
hundred  or  a  few  more  years  ago,  when  there  were  no  Carps  in 
England,  as  may  seem  to  be  affirmed  by  Sir  Richard  Baker,  in 
whose  Chronicle  you  may  find  these  verses : — 

**  Hops  and  Turkeys,  Carps  and  Beer, 
Came  into  England  all  in  a  year," 

And  doubtless,  as  of  sea-fish  the  Herring  dies  soonest  out  of 
the  water,  and  of  fresh-water  fish  the  Trout,  so,  except  the  Eel, 
the  Carp  endures  most  hardness,  and  lives  longest  out  of  his 
own  proper  element;  and  therefore  the  report  of  the  Carp's 
being  brought  out  of  a  foreign  country  into  this  nation  is  the 
more  probable. 

Carps  and  Loaches  are  observed  to  breed  several  months  in 
one  year,  which  Pikes  and  most  other  fish  do  not.  And  this 
is  partly  proved  by  tame  and  wild  rabbits,  as  also  by  some 
ducks,  which  will  lay  eggs  nine  of  the  twelve  months ;  and  yet 
there  be  other  ducks  that  lay  not  longer  than  about  one  month. 


156  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

And  it  is  the  rather  to  be  believed,  because  you  shall  scarce  or 
never  take  a  male  Carp  without  a  melt,  or  a  female  without  a 
roe  or  spawn,  and  for  the  most  part  very  much  ;  and  especially 
all  the  summer  season :  and  it  is  observed,  that  they  breed 
more  naturally  in  ponds  than  in  running  waters,  if  they  breed 
there  at  all ;  and  that  those  that  live  in  rivers  are  taken  by  men 
of  the  best  palates  to  be  much  the  better  meat. 

And  it  is  observed,  that  in  some  ponds  Carps  will  not  breed, 
especially  in  cold  ponds;  but  where  they  will  breed,  they 
breed  innumerably :  Aristotle  and  PHny  say,  six  times  in  a 
year,  if  there  be  no  Pikes  nor  Perch  to  devour  their  spawn  when 
it  is  cast  upon  grass,  or  flags,  or  weeds,  where  it  lies  ten  or 
twelve  days  before  it  be  enlivened. 

The  Carp,  if  he  have  water-room  and  good  feed,  will  grow 
to  a  very  great  bigness  and  length ;  I  have  heard,  to  be  much 
above  a  yard  long.  'Tis  said  by  Jovius,  who  hath  writ  of 
fishes,  that  in  the  Lake  Lurian,  in  Italy,  Carps  have  thriven 
to  be  more  than  fifty  pounds'  weight;  which  is  the  more 
probable,  for  as  the  bear  is  conceived  and  born  suddenly,  and 
being  born  is  but  short-lived,  so,  on  the  contrary,  the  ele- 
phant is  said  to  be  two  years  in  his  dam's  belly,  some  think  he 
is  ten  years  in  it,  and  being  born  grows  in  bigness  twenty 
years ;  and  't  is  observed  too  that  he  lives  to  the  age  of  a 
hundred  years.  And  't  is  also  observed,  that  the  crocodile  is 
very  long-lived,  and  more  than  that,  that  all  that  long  life  he 
thrives  in  bigness :  and  so  I  think  some  Carps  do,  especially 
in  some  places;  though  I  never  saw  one  above  twenty-three 
inches,  which  was  a  great  and  goodly  fish ;  but  have  been  as- 
sured there  are  of  a  far  greater  size,  and  in  England  too. 

Now,  as  the  increase  of  Carps  is  wonderful  for  their  number, 
so  there  is  not  a  reason  found  out,  I  think,  by  any,  why  they 
should  breed  in  some  ponds  and  not  in  others  of  the  same 
nature  for  soil  and  all  other  circumstances.  And  as  their 
breeding,  so  are  their  decays  also  very  mysterious  :  I  have  both 
read  it,  and  been  told  by  a  gentleman  of  tried  honesty,  that 


Chap.  IX.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  157 

he  has  known  sixty  or  more  large  Carps  put  into  several  ponds 
near  to  a  house,  where  by  reason  of  the  stakes  in  the  ponds,  and 
the  owner's  constant  being  near  to  them,  it  was  impossible  they 
should  be  stolen  away  from  him :  and  that  when  he  has,  after 
three  or  four  years,  emptied  the  pond,  and  expected  an  increase 
from  them  by  breeding  young  ones, — for  that  they  might  do 
so,  he  had,  as  the  rule  is,  put  in  three  melters  for  one  spawner, 
— he  has,  I  say,  after  three  or  four  years,  found  neither  a  young 
nor  old  Carp  remaining.  And  the  like  I  have  known  of  one 
that  has  almost  watched  the  pond,  and  at  a  like  distance  of 
time,  at  the  fishing  of  a  pond,  found  of  seventy  or  eighty  large 
Carps  not  above  five  or  six  :  and  that  he  had  forborne  longer 
to  fish  the  said  pond,  but  that  he  saw,  in  a  hot  day  in  summer, 
a  large  Carp  swim  near  the  top  of  the  water  with  a  frog  upon 
his  head ;  and  that  he  upon  that  occasion  caused  his  pond 
to  be  let  dry :  and  I  say,  of  seventy  or  eighty  Carps,  only 
found  five  or  six  in  the  said  pond,  and  those  very  sick  and  lean, 
and  with  every  one  a  frog  sticking  so  fast  on  the  head  of  the 
said  Carps,  that  the  frog  would  not  be  got  off  without  extreme 
force  or  killing.  And  the  gentleman  that  did  affirm  this  to  me 
told  me  he  saw  it ;  and  did  declare  his  belief  to  be,  and  I  also 
believe  the  same,  that  he  thought  the  other  Carps  that  were 
so  strangely  lost  were  so  killed  by  frogs,  and  then  devoured. 

And  a  person  of  honor  now  living  in  Worcestershire*  as- 
sured me  he  had  seen  a  necklace  or  collar  of  tadpoles  hang  like 
a  chain  or  necklace  of  beads  about  a  Pike's  neck,  and  to  kill 
him:  whether  it  were  for  meat  or  malice  must  be  to  me  a 
question. 

But  I  am  fallen  into  this  discourse  by  accident ;  of  which  I 
might  say  more,  but  it  has  proved  longer  than  I  intended,  and 
possibly  may  not  to  you  be  considerable  :  I  shall  therefore  give 
you  three  or  four  more  short  observations  of  the  Carp,  and  then 
fall  upon  some  directions  how  you  shall  fish  for  him. 

The  age  of  Carps  is  by  Sir  Francis  Bacon,  in  his  **  History 
♦Mr.  Fr.  Ru. 


ISB  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

of  Life  and  Death,"  observed  to  be  but  ten  years,  yet  others 
think  they  live  longer.  Gesner  says,  a  Carp  has  been  known 
to  live  in  the  Palatinate  above  a  hundred  years :  but  most  con- 
clude, that,  contrary  to  the  Pike  or  Luce,  all  Carps  are  the 
better  for  age  and  bigness.  The  tongues  of  Carps  are  noted 
to  be  choice  and  costly  meat,  especially  to  them  that  buy  them  : 
but  Gesner  says,  Carps  have  no  tongue  like  other  fish,  but  a 
piece  of  flesh-like  fish  in  their  mouth  like  to  a  tongue,  and 
should  be  called  a  palate :  but  it  is  certain  it  is  choicely  good, 
and  that  the  Carp  is  to  be  reckoned  amongst  those  leather- 
mouthed  fish  which  I  told  you  have  their  teeth  in  their  throat ; 
and  for  that  reason  he  is  very  seldom  lost  by  breaking  his  hold, 
if  your  hook  be  once  stuck  into  his  chaps. 

I  told  you  that  Sir  Francis  Bacon  thinks  that  the  Carp  lives 
but  ten  years ;  but  Janus  Dubravius  has  writ  a  book  ''  Of  Fish 
and  Fish-Ponds,"  in  which  he  says  that  Carps  begin  to  spawn 
at  the  age  of  three  years,  and  continue  to  do  so  till  thirty :  he 
says  also,  that  in  the  time  of  their  breeding,  which  is  in  sum- 
mer when  the  sun  hath  warmed  both  the  earth  and  water,  and 
so  apted  them  also  for  generation,  that  then  three  or  four 
male  Carps  will  follow  a  female ;  and  that  then,  she  putting  on 
a  seeming  coyness,  they  force  her  through  weeds  and  flags, 
where  she  lets  fall  her  eggs  or  spawn,  which  sticks  fast  to  the 
weeds,  and  then  they  let  fall  their  melt  upon  it,  and  so  it  be- 
comes in  a  short  time  to  be  a  living  fish :  and,  as  I  told  you,  it 
is  thought  the  Carp  does  this  several  months  in  the  year ;  and 
most  believe  that  most  fish  breed  after  this  manner,  except  the 
Eel.  And  it  has  been  observed,  that  when  the  spawner  has 
weakened  herself  by  doing  that  natural  office,  that  two  or  three 
melters  have  helped  her  from  off  the  weeds  by  bearing  her  up 
on  both  sides,  and  guarding  her  into  the  deep.  And  you 
may  note,  that,  though  this  may  seem  a  curiosity  not  worth 
observing,  yet  others  have  judged  it  worth  their  time  and  costs 
to  make  glass  hives,  and  order  them  in  such  a  manner  as  to  see 
how  bees  have  bred  and  made  their  honeycombs,  and  how  they 


Chap.  IX.] 


THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


159 


have  obeyed  their  king  and  governed  their  commonwealth. 
But  it  is  thought  that  all  Carps  are  not  bred  by  generation,  but 
that  some  breed  other  ways,  as  some  Pikes  do. 

The  physicians  make  the  galls  and  stones  in  the  heads  of 
Carps  to  be  very  medicinable.  But  't  is  not  to  be  doubted 
but  that  in  Italy  they  make  great  profit  of  the  spawn  of  Carps, 
by  selling  it  to  the  Jews,  who  make  it  into  red  caviare,  the 
Jews  not  being  by  their  law  admitted  to  eat  of  caviare  made  of 
the  Sturgeon,  that  being  a  fish  that  wants  scales,  and,  as  may 
appear  in  Levit.  xi.  10,  by  them  reputed  to  be  unclean. 

Much  more  might  be  said  out  of  him,  and  out  of  Aristotle, 
which  Dubravius  often  quotes  in  his  Discourse  of  Fishes ;  but 
it  might  rather  perplex  than  satisfy  you ;  and  therefore  I  shall 
rather  choose  to  direct  you  how  to  catch,  than  spend  more 
time  in  discoursing  either  of  the  nature  or  the  breeding  of  this 
Carp, 


or  of  any  more  circumstances  concerning  him  :  but  yet  I  shall 
remember  you  of  what  I  told  you  before,  that  he  is  a  very 
subtle  fish,  and  hard  to  be  caught. 

And  my  first  direction  is,  that,  if  you  will  fish  for  a  Carp, 
you  must  put  on  a  very  large  measure  of  patience ;  especially 
to  fish  for  a  River-Carp :  I  have  known  a  very  good  fisher 
angle  diligently  four  or  six  hours  in  a  day,  for  three  or  four 


l6o  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

days  together,  for  a  River- Carp,  and  not  have  a  bite.  And 
you  are  to  note  that,  in  some  ponds,  it  is  as  hard  to  catch  a 
Carp  as  in  a  river ;  that  is  to  say,  where  they  have  store  of 
feed,  and  the  water  is  of  a  clayish  color :  but  you  are  to  re- 
member, that  I  have  told  you  there  is  no  rule  without  an  ex- 
ception ;  and  therefore,  being  possessed  with  that  hope  and 
patience,  which  I  wish  to  all  fishers,  especially  to  the  Carp- 
Angler,  I  shall  tell  you  with  what  bait  to  fish  for  him.  But 
first  you  are  to  know,  that  it  must  be  either  early  or  late ;  and 
let  me  tell  you,  that  in  hot  weather,  for  he  will  seldom  bite  in 
cold,  you  cannot  be  too  early  or  too  late  at  it.  And  some  have 
been  so  curious  as  to  say,  the  loth  of  April  is  a  fatal  day  for 
Carps. 

The  Carp  bites  either  at  worms  or  at  paste ;  and  of  worms  I 
think  the  bluish  marsh  or  meadow  worm  is  best ;  but  possibly 
another  worm,  not  too  big,  may  do  as  well,  and  so  may  a 
green  gentle :  and  as  for  pastes,  there  are  almost  as  many  sorts 
as  there  are  medicines  for  the  toothache ;  but  doubtless  sweet 
pastes  are  best ;  I  mean  pastes  made  with  honey  or  with  sugar : 
which,  that  you  may  the  better  beguile  this  crafty  fish,  should 
be  thrown  into  the  pond  or  place  in  which  you  fish  for  him 
some  hours,  or  longer,  before  you  undertake  your  trial  of  skill 
with  the  angle-rod :  and,  doubtless,  if  it  be  thrown  into  the 
water  a  day  or  two  before,  at  several  times  and  in  small  pellets, 
you  are  the  likelier  when  you  fish  for  the  Carp  to  obtain  your 
desired  sport.  Or  in  a  large  pond,  to  draw  them  to  any  cer- 
tain place,  that  they  may  the  better  and  with  more  hope  be 
fished  for,  you  are  to  throw  into  it,  in  some  certain  place, 
either  grains,  or  blood  mixed  with  cow -dung  or  with  bran ;  or 
any  garbage,  as  chicken's  guts,  or  the  like ;  and  then  some  of 
your  small  sweet  pellets  with  which  you  purpose  to  angle :  and 
these  small  pellets  being  a  few  of  them  also  thrown  in  as  you 
are  angling,  will  be  the  better. 

And  your  paste  must  be  thus  made :  take  the  flesh  of  a  rab- 
bit or  cat  cut  small,  and  bean-flour ;  and  if  that  may  not  be 


Chap.  IX.l  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.     .  l6l 

easily  got,  get  other  flour,  and  then  mix  these  together,  and 
put  to  them  either  sugar,  or  honey,  which  I  think  better ;  and 
then  beat  these  together  in  a  mortar,  or  sometimes  work  them 
in  your  hands,  your  hands  being  very  clean ;  and  then  make  it 
into  a  ball,  or  two,  or  three,  as  you  like  best  for  your  use ;  but 
you  must  work  or  pound  it  so  long  in  the  mortar,  as  to  make 
it  so  tough  as  to  hang  upon  your  hook  without  washing  from 
it,  yet  not  too  hard:  or  that  you  may  the  better  keep  it  on 
your  hook,  you  may  knead  with  your  paste  a  little,  and  not 
much,  white  or  yellowish  wool. 

And  if  you  would  have  this  paste  keep  all  the  year  for  any 
other  fish,  then  mix  with  it  virgin-wax  and  clarified  honey, 
and  work  them  together  with  your  hands  Defore  the  fire ;  then 
make  these  into  balls,  and  they  will  keep  all  the  year. 

And  if  you  fish  for  a  Carp  with  gentles,  then  put  upon  your 
hook  a  small  piece  of  scarlet  about  this  bigness  Q,  it  being 
soaked  in,  or  anointed  with  oil  of  peter,  called  by  some  oil  of 
the  rock :  and  if  your  gentles  be  put,  two  or  three  days  before, 
into  a  box  or  horn  anointed  with  honey,  and  so  put  upon  your 
hook  as  to  preserve  them  to  be  living,  you  are  as  like  to  kill 
this  crafty  fish  this  way  as  any  other :  but  still  as  you  are  fish- 
ing, chew  a  little  white  or  brown  bread  in  your  mouth,  and 
cast  it  into  the  pond  about  the  place  where  your  float  swims. 
Other  baits  there  be;  but  these,  with  diligence  and  patient 
watchfulness,  will  do  it  better  than  any  that  I  have  ever  prac- 
tised or  heard  of:  and  yet  I  shall  tell  you,  that  the  crumbs  of 
white  bread  and  honey  made  into  a  paste  is  a  good  bait  for  a 
Carp ;  and  you  know  it  is  more  easily  made.  And  having  said 
thus  much  of  the  Carp,  my  next  discourse  shall  be  of  the 
Bream,  which  shall  not  prove  so  tedious  :  and  therefore  I  de- 
sire the  continuance  of  your  attention. 

But  first  I  will  tell  you  how  to  make  this  Carp,  that  is  so 
curious  to  be  caught,  so  curious  a  dish  of  meat,  as  shall  make 
him  worth  all  your  labor  and  patience  ;  and  though  it  is  not 
without  some  trouble  and  charges,  yet  it  will  recompense  both. 


l62  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Pa»t  L 

Take  a  Carp,  alive  if  possible,  scour  him,  and  rub  him  clean 
with  water  and  salt,  but  scale  him  not :  then  open  him,  and 
put  him  with  his  blood  and  his  liver,  which  you  must  save 
wHen  you  open  him,  into  a  small  pot  or  kettle;  then  take 
sweet-marjoram,  thyme,  and  parsley,  of  each  half  a  handful ;  a 
sprig  of  rosemary,  and  another  of  savory  ;  bind  them  into  two 
or  three  small  bundles,  and  put  them  to  your  Carp,  with  four 
or  hve  whole  onions,  twenty  pickled  oysters,  and  three  an- 
chovies. Then  pour  upon  your  Carp  as  much  claret-wine  as 
will  only  cover  him  ;  and  season  your  claret  well  with  salt, 
cloves,  and  mace,  and  the  rinds  of  oranges  and  lemons.  That 
done,  cover  your  pot  and  set  it  on  a  quick  fire,  till  it  be  suf- 
ficiently boiled :  then  take  out  the  Carp,  and  lay  it  with  the 
broth  into  the  dish,  and  pour  upon  it  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of 
the  best  fresh  butter,  melted  and  beaten  with  half  a  dozen 
spoonfuls  of  the  broth,  the  yolks  of  two  or  three  eggs,  and 
some  of  the  herbs  shred :  garnish  your  dish  with  lemons,  and 
so  serve  it  up,  and  much  good  do  you  !     Dr.  T. 


THE   FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  X. — Observations  of  the  Bream,  and  Directions  to  catch 

him, 

PiSCATOR. 

TTHE  Bream,  being  at  a  full  growth,  is  a  large  and  stately 
*  fish.  He  will  breed  both  in  rivers  and  ponds ;  but  loves 
best  to  live  in  ponds,  and  where,  if  he  likes  the  water  and  air, 
he  will  grow  not  only  to  be  very  large,  but  as  fat  as  a  hog.  He 
is  by  Gesner  taken  to  be  more  pleasant,  or  sweet,  than  whole- 
some :  this  fish  is  long  in  growing,  but  breeds  exceedingly  in 
a  water  that  pleases  him ;  yea,  in  many  ponds  so  fast  as  to 
over-store  them,  and  starve  the  other  fish. 

He  is  very  broad,  with  a  forked  tail,  and  his  scales  set  in  ex- 
cellent order  :  he  hath  large  eyes,  and  a  narrow  sucking  mouth ; 
he  hath  two  sets  of  teeth,  and  a  lozenge-like  bone,  a  bone  to 
\ielp  his  grinding.  The  melter  is  observed  to  have  two  large 
melts,  and  the  female  two  large  bags  of  eggs  or  spawn. 

Gesner  reports,  that  in  Poland  a  certain  and  a  great  number 
of  large  Breams  were  put  into  a  pond,  which  in  the  next  fol- 
lowing winter  were  frozen  up  into  one  entire  ice,  and  not  one 
drop  of  water  remaining,  nor  one  of  these  fish  to  be  found, 
though  they  were  diligently  searched  for ;  and  yet  the  next 
spring,  when  the  ice  was  thawed,  and  the  weather  warm,  and 
fresh  water  got  into  the  pond,  he  affirms  they  all  appeared 
again.  This  Gesner  affirms,  and  I  quote  my  author,  because 
it  seems  almost  as  incredible  as  the  resurrection  to  an  atheist. 
But  it  may  win  something  in  point  of  believing  it,  to  him  that 
considers  the  breeding  or  renovation  of  the  silk-worm,  and  of 
many  insects.     And  that  is  considerable  which   Sir  Franci? 


1 64 


THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


[Part  I. 


Bacon  observes  in  his  ''  History  of  Life  and  Death,"  foL  20, 
that  there  be  some  herbs  that  die  and  spring  every  year,  and 
some  endure  longer. 

But  though  some  do  not,  yet  the  French  esteem  this  fish 
highly,  and  to  that  end  have  this  proverb:  '*  He  that  hath 
Breams  in  his  pond  is  able  to  bid  his  friend  welcome."  And 
it  is  noted,  that  the  best  part  of  a  Bream  is  his  belly  and  head. 

Some  say,  that  Breams  and  Roaches  will  mix  their  eggs  and 
melt  together,  and  so  there  is  in  many  places  a  bastard  breed 
of  Breams,  that  never  come  to  be  either  large  or  good,  but 
very  numerous. 

The  baits  good  to  catch  this  Bream 


are  many.  First,  paste  made  of  brown  bread  and  honey, 
gentles,  or  the  brood  of  wasps  that  be  young,  and  then  not  un- 
like gentles,  and  should  be  hardened  in  an  oven,  or  dried  on  a 
tile  before  the  fire  to  make  them  tough :  or  there  is  at  the  root 
of  docks  or  flags,  or  rushes  in  watery  places,  a  worm  not  un- 
like a  maggot,  at  which  Tench  will  bite  freely.  Or  he  will 
bite  at  a  grasshopper  with  his  legs  nipped  off,  in  June  and 
July ;  or  at  several  flies,  under  water,  which  may  be  found  on 
flags  that  grow  near  to  the  water-side.  I  doubt  not  but  that 
there  be  many  other  baits  that  are  good,  but  I  will  turn  them 
all  into  this  most  excellent  one,  either  for  a  Carp  or  Bream,  in 
any  river  or  mere :  it  was  given  to  me  by  a  most  honest  and 
excellent  Angler,  and,  hoping  you  will  prove  both,  I  will  im- 
part it  to  you, 


.J   ''--to- 


Chap.  X.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  l6S 

1.  Let  your  bait  be  as  big  a  red-worm  as  you  can  find, 
without  a  knot :  get  a  pint  or  quart  of  them  in  an  evening  in 
garden-walks,  or  chalky  commons,  after  a  shower  of  rain ;  and 
put  them  with  clean  moss  well  washed  and  picked,  and  the 
water  squeezed  out  of  the  moss  as  dry  as  you  can,  into  an 
earthern  pot  or  pipkin  set  dry,  and  change  the  moss  fresh  every 
three  or  four  days  for  three  weeks  or  a  month  together ;  then 
your  bait  will  be  at  the  best,  for  it  will  be  clear  and  lively. 

2.  Having  thus  prepared  your  baits,  get  your  tackling  ready 
and  fitted  for  this  sport.  Take  three  long  angling-rods,  and  as 
many  and  more  silk,  or  silk  and  hair,  lines,  and  as  many  large 
swan  or  goose  quill  floats.  Then  take  a  piece  of  lead 
made  after  this  manner,  and  fasten  them  to  the  low- 
ends  of  your  Hnes.  Then  fasten  your  link-hook  also 
to  the  lead,  and  let  there  be  about  a  foot  or  ten  inches  between 
the  lead  and  the  hook ;  but  be  sure  the  lead  be  heavy  enough  to 
sink  the  float  or  quill  a  little  under  the  water,  and  not  the  quill 
to  bear  up  the  lead,  for  the  lead  must  lie  on  the  ground.  Note 
that  your  link  next  the  hook  may  be  smaller  than  the  rest  of 
your  line,  if  you  dare  adventure,  for  fear  of  taking  the  Pike  or 
Pearch,  who  will  assuredly  visit  your  hooks,  till  they  be  taken 
out,  as  I  will  show  you  afterwards,  before  either  Carp  or  Bream 
will  come  near  to  bite.  Note  also,  that  when  the  worm  is  well 
baited,  it  will  crawl  up  and  down,  as  far  as  the  lead  will  give 
leave,  which  much  enticeth  the  fish  to  bite  without  suspicion. 

3.  Having  thus  prepared  your  baits,  and  fitted  your  tackling, 
repair  to  the  river,  where  you  have  seen  them  to  swim  in  skuls 
or  shoals  in  the  summer-time  in  a  hot  afternoon,  about  three  or 
four  of  the  clock ;  and  watch  their  going  forth  of  their  deep 
holes  and  returning,  which  you  may  well  discern,  for  they  re- 
turn about  four  of  the  clock,  most  of  them  seeking  food  at  the 
bottom,  yet  one  or  two  will  lie  on  the  top  of  the  water,  rolling 
and  tumbling  themselves  whilst  the  rest  are  under  him  at  the 
bottom ;  and  so  you  shall  perceive  him  to  keep  sentinel :  then 
mark  where  he  plays  most,  and  stays  longest,  which  commonly 


l66  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

is  in  the  broadest  and  defepest  place  of  the  river,  and  there,  or 
near  thereabouts,  at  a  clear  bottom  and  a  convenient  landing- 
place,  take  one  of  your  angles  ready  fitted  as  aforesaid,  and 
sound  the  bottom,  which  should  be  about  eight  or  ten  feet  deep ; 
two  yards  from  the  bank  is  best.  Then  consider  with  yourself 
whether  that  water  will  rise  or  fall  by  the  next  morning,  by 
reason  of  any  water-mills  near,  and  according  to  your  discretion 
take  the  depth  of  the  place  where  you  mean  after  to  cast  your 
ground-bait,  and  to  fish,  to  half  an  inch ;  that  the  lead  lying  on 
or  near  the  ground-bait,  the  top  of  the  float  may  only  appear 
upright  half  an  inch  above  the  water. 

Thus  you  having  found  and  fitted  for  the  place  and  depth 
thereof,  then  go  home  and  prepare  your  ground-bait ;  which  is, 
next  to  the  fruit  of  your  labors,  to  be  regarded. 

The  Ground-Bait. 

You  shall  take  a  peck,  or  a  peck  and  a  half,  according  to  the 
greatness  of  the  stream,  and  deepness  of  the  water,  where  you 
mean  to  angle,  of  sweet  gross-ground  barley-malt,  and  boil  it  in 
a  kettle ;  one  or  two  warms  is  enough :  then  strain  it  through  a 
bag  into  a  tub,  the  liquor  whereof  hath  often  done  my  horse 
much  good ;  and  when  the  bag  and  malt  is  near  cold,  take  it 
down  to  the  water-side  about  eight  or  nine  of  the  clock  in  the 
evening,  and  not  before  :  cast  in  two  parts  of  your  ground-bait, 
squeezed  hard  between  both  your  hands,  it  will  sink  pres- 
ently to  the  bottom,  and  be  sure  it  may  rest  in  the  very  place 
where  you  mean  to  angle :  if  the  stream  run  hard,  or  move 
a  little,  cast  your  malt  in  handfuls  a  little  the  higher,  upwards 
the  stream.  You  may,  between  your  hands,  close  the  malt  so 
fast  in  handfuls,  that  the  water  will  hardly  part  it  with  the 
fall. 

Your  ground  thus  baited,  and  tackling  fit.ted,  leave  your  bag 
with  the  rest  of  your  tackling  and  ground-bait  near  the  sporting- 


Chap.  X.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  167 

place  all  night ;  and  in  the  morning,  about  three  or  four  of  the 
clock,  visit  the  water-side,  but  not  too  near,  for  they  have  a 
cunning  watchman,  and  are  watchful  themselves  too. 

Then  gently  take  one  of  your  three  rods,  and  bait  your  hook, 
casting  it  over  your  ground-bait ;  and  gently  and  secretly  draw 
it  to  you,  till  the  lead  rests  about  the  middle  of  the  ground- 
bait. 

Then  take  a  second  rod  and  cast  in  about  a  yard  above,  and 
your  third  a  yard  below  the  first  rod,  and  stay  the  rods  in  the 
ground ;  but  go  yourself  so  far  from  the  water-side,  that  you 
perceive  nothing  but  the  top  of  the  floats,  which  you  must  watch 
most  diligently.  Then,  when  you  have  a  bite,  you  shall  per- 
ceive the  top  of  your  float  to  sink  suddenly  into  the  water ;  yet 
nevertheless  be  not  too  hasty  to  run  to  your  rods,  until  you  sec 
that  the  line  goes  clear  away  ;  then  creep  to  the  water-side,  and 
give  as  much  line  as  possibly  you  can :  if  it  be  a  good  Carp  or 
Bream,  they  will  go  to  the  farther  side  of  the  river,  then  strike 
gently,  and  hold  your  rod  at  a  bent  a  little  while ;  but  if  you 
both  pull  together,  you  are  sure  to  lose  your  game,  for  either 
your  line,  or  hook,  or  hold,  will  break :  and  after  you  have  over- 
come them,  they  will  make  noble  sport,  and  are  very  shy  to  be 
landed.  The  Carp  is  far  stronger  and  more  mettlesome  than 
the  Bream. 

Much  more  is  to  be  observed  in  this  kind  of  fish  and  fishing, 
but  it  is  far  fitter  for  experience  and  discourse  than  paper. 
Only  thus  much  is  necessary  for  you  to  know,  and  to  be  mind- 
ful and  careful  of;  that  if  the  Pike  or  Pearch  do  breed  in  that 
river,  they  will  be  sure  to  bite  first,  and  must  first  be  taken. 
And  for  the  most  part  they  are  very  large ;  and  will  repair  to 
your  ground-bait,  not  that  they  will  eat  of  it,  but  will  feed  and 
sport  themselves  amongst  the  young  fry  that  gather  about  and 
hover  over  the  bait. 

The  way  to  discern  the  Pike  and  to  take  him,  if  you  mistrust 
your  Bream-hook, — for  I  have  taken  a  Pike  a  yard  long  several 


l68  THE  C0MI>LETE  ANGLER.  tPAftt  1. 

times  at  my  Bream-hooks,  and  sometimes  he  hath  had  the  luck 
to  share  my  Hne, — may  be  thus : — 

Take  a  small  Bleak,  or  Roach,  or  Gudgeon,  and  bait  it ;  and 
set  it  alive  among  your  rods  two  foot  deep  from  the  cork,  with 
a  little  red-worm  on  the  point  of  the  hook ;  then  take  a  few 
crumbs  of  white  bread,  or  some  of  the  ground-bait,  and  sprinkle 
it  gently  amongst  your  rods.  If  Mr.  Pike  be  there,  then  the 
little  fish  will  skip  out  of  the  water  at  his  appearance,  but  the 
live-set  bait  is  sure  to  be  taken. 

Thus  continue  your  sport  from  four  in  the  morning  till  eight, 
and  if  it  be  a  gloomy,  windy  day,  they  will  bite  all  day  long. 
But  this  is  too  long  to  stand  to  your  rods  at  one  place,  and  it 
will  spoil  your  evening  sport  that  day,  which  is  this. 

About  four  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon  repair  to  your  baited 
place ;  and  as  soon  as  you  come  to  the  water-side,  cast  in  one 
half  of  the  rest  of  your  ground-bait,  and  stand  off:  then,  whilst 
the  fish  are  gathering  together,  for  there  they  will  most  certainly 
come  for  their  supper,  you  may  take  a  pipe  of  tobacco ;  and 
then  in  with  your  three  rods  as  in  the  morning.  You  will  find 
excellent  sport  that  evening  till  eight  of  the  clock  :  then  cast  in 
the  residue  of  your  ground-bait,  and  next  morning  by  four  of 
the  clock  visit  them  again  for  four  hours,  which  is  the  best  sport 
of  all ;  and  after  that,  let  them  rest  till  you  and  your  friends 
have  a  mind  to  more  sport. 

From  St.  James's-tide  until  Bartholomew-tide  is  the  best ; 
when  they  have  had  all  the  summer's  food,  they  are  the  fat- 
test. 

Observe  lastly,  that  after  three  or  four  days'  fishing  together, 
your  game  will  be  very  shy  and  wary,  and  you  shall  hardly  get 
above  a  bite  or  two  at  a  baiting ;  then  your  only  way  is  to  de- 
sist from  your  sport  about  two  or  three  days  :  and  in  the  mean 
time,  on  the  place  you  late  baited,  and  again  intend  to  bait, 
you  shall  take  a  turf  of  green  but  short  grass,  as  big  or  bigger 
than  a  round  trencher ;  to  the  top  of  this  turf,  on  the  green 


Chap.  X.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  169 

side,  you  shall,  with  a  needle  and  green  thread,  fasten  one  by- 
one  as  many  little  red-worms  as  will  near  cover  all  the  turf. 
Then  take  a  round  board  or  trencher,  make  a  hole  in  the 
middle  thereof,  and  through  the  turf,  placed  on  the  board  or 
trencher,  with  a  string  or  cord  as  long  as  is  fitting,  tied  to  a 
pole,  let  it  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  water  for  the  fish  to  feed 
upon  without  disturbance  about  two  or  three  days;  and  after 
that  you  have  drawn  it  away,  you  may  fall  to,  and  enjoy  your 
former  recreation. 

B.  A. 


•3^  .. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XI. — Observations  of  the  Tench,  and  Advice  how  to  angle 

for  him. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Tench,  the  physician  of  fishes,  is  observed  to  love 
*  ponds  better  than  rivers,  and  to  love  pits  better  than 
either;  yet  Camden  observes  there  is  a  river  in  Dorsetshire 
that  abounds  with  Tenches,  but  doubtless  they  retire  to  the 
most  deep  and  quiet  places  in  it. 

This  fish  hath  very  large  fins,  very  small  and  smooth  scales, 
a  red  circle  about  his  eyes,  which  are  big  and  of  a  gold  color, 
and  from  either  angle  of  his  mouth  there  hangs  down  a  little 
barb.  In  every  Tench's  head  there  are  two  little  stones,  which 
foreign  physicians  make  great  use  of;  but  he  is  not  commended 
for  wholesome  meat,  though  there  be  very  much  use  made 
of  them,  for  outward  applications.  Rondeletius  says,  that  at 
his  being  at  Rome  he  saw  a  great  cure  done  by  applying  a 
Tench  to  the  feet  of  a  very  sick  man.  This,  he  says,  was  done 
after  an  unusual  manner  by  certain  Jews.  And  it  is  observed, 
that  many  of  those  people  have  many  secrets,  yet  unknown  to 
Christians ;  secrets  that  have  never  yet  been  written,  but  have 
been  since  the  days  of  their  Solomon,  who  knew  the  nature  of 
all  things,  even  from  the  cedar  to  the  shrub,  delivered  by  tra- 
dition from  the  father  to  the  son,  and  so  from  generation  to 
generation  without  writing;  or,  unless  it  were  casually,  with- 
out the  least  communicating  them  to  any  other  nation  or  tribe : 
for  to  do  that,  they  account  a  profanation.  And  yet  it  is 
thought  that  they,  or  some  spirit  worse  than  they,  first  told  us, 
that  lice  swallowed  alive  were  a  certain  cure  for  the  yellow- 


Chap.  XL] 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


171 


jaundice.  This  and  many  other  medicines  were  discovered  by 
them,  or  by  revelation ;  for  doubtless  we  attained  them  not  by 
study. 

Well,  this  fish,  besides  his  eating,  is  very  useful,  both  dead 
and  alive,  for  the  good  of  mankind.  But  I  will  meddle  no 
more  with  that ;  my  honest  humble  art  teaches  no  such  bold- 
ness :  there  are  too  many  foolish  meddlers  in  physic  and 
divinity,  that  think  themselves  fit  to  meddle  with  hidden  se- 
crets, and  so  bring  destruction  to  their  followers.  But  I  '11 
not  meddle  with  them,  any  farther  than  to  wish  them  wiser ; 
and  shall  tell  you  next,  for  I  hope  I  may  be  so  bold,  that  the 
Tench  is  the  physician  of  fishes  ;  for  the  Pike  especially,  and 
that  the  Pike,  being  either  sick  or  hurt,  is  cured  by  the  touch 
of  the  Tench.  And  it  is  observed,  that  the  tyrant  Pike  will 
not  be  a  wolf  to  his  physician,  but  forbears  to  devour  him 
though  he  be  never  so  hungry. 

This  fish,  that  carries  a  natural  balsam  in  him  to  cure  both 
himself  and  others,  loves  yet  to  feed  in  very  foul  water,  and 
amongst  weeds.  And  yet  I  am  sure  he  eats  pleasantly,  and 
doubtless  you  will  think  so  too,  if  you  taste  him.  And  I  shall 
therefore  proceed  to  give  you  some  few,  and  but  a  few,  direc- 
tions how  to  catch  this  Tench, 


of  which  I  have  given  you  these  observations. 

He  will  bite  at  a  paste  made  of  brown  bread  and  honey,  or 


1/2  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

at  a  marsh-worm,  or  a  lob- worm ;  he  incHnes  very  much  to 
any  paste  with  which  tar  is  mixed,  and  he  will  bite  also  at  a 
smaller  worm,  with  his  head  nipped  off,  and  a  cod-worm  put  on 
the  hook  before  that  worm ;  and  I  doubt  not  but  that  he  will 
also  in  the  three  hot  months,  for  in  the  nine  colder  he  stirs  not 
much,  bite  at  a  flag-worm,  or  at  a  green  gentle,  but  can  posi- 
tively say  no  more  of  the  Tench,  he  being  a  fish  that  I  have  not 
often  angled  for,  but  I  wish  my  honest  Scholar  may,  and  be 
ever  fortunate  when  he  fishes. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  X\l.— Observations  of  the  Pearch,  and  Directions  how  to 
fish  for  him. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Pearch  is  a  very  good  and  a  very  bold-biting  fish.  He 
*  is  one  of  the  fishes  of  prey  that,  Hke  the  Pike  and  Trout, 
carries  his  teeth  in  his  mouth,  which  is  very  large;  and  he 
dare  venture  to  kill  and  devour  several  other  kinds  of  fish. 
He  has  a  hooked,  or  hog-back,  which  is  armed  with  sharp  and 
stiff  bristles,  and  all  his  skin  armed  or  covered  over  with  thick, 
dry,  hard  scales ;  and  hath,  which  few  other  fish  have,  two  fins 
on  his  back.  He  is  so  bold  that  he  will  invade  one  of  his  own 
kind,  which  the  Pike  will  not  do  so  willingly ;  and  you  may 
therefore  easily  believe  him  to  be  a  bold  biter. 

The  Pearch  is  of  great  esteem  in  Italy,  saith  Aldrovandus ; 
and  especially  the  least  are  there  esteemed  a  dainty  dish.  And 
Gesner  prefers  the  Pearch  and  Pike  above  the  Trout,  or  any 
fresh-water  fish :  he  says  the  Germans  have  this  proverb, 
**  More  wholesome  than  a  Pearch  of  Rhine  "  :  and  he  says  the 
River-Pearch  is  so  wholesome,  that  physicians  allow  him  to  be 
eaten  by  wounded  men,  or  by  men  in  fevers,  or  by  women  in 
child-bed. 

He  spawns  but  once  a  year,  and  is  by  physicians  held  very 
nutritive ;  yet,  by  many,  to  be  hard  of  digestion.  They 
abound  more  in  the  river  Po  and  in  England,  says  Rondeletius, 
than  other  parts,  and  have  in  their  brain  a  stone,  which  is,  in 
foreign  parts,  sold  by  apothecaries,  being  there  noted  to  be 
very  medicinable  against  the  stone  in  the  reins.     These  be  a 


174  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

part  of  the  commendations  which  some  philosophical  brains 
have  bestowed  upon  the  fresh-water  Pearch  :  yet  they  commend 
the  Sea-Pearch,  which  is  known  by  having  but  one  fin  on  his 
back,  of  which,  they  say,  we  English  see  but  a  few,  to  be  a 
much  better  fish. 

The  Pearch  grows  slowly,  yet  will  grow,  as  I  have  been 
ciedibly  informed,  to  be  almost  two  foot  long ;  for  an  honest 
informer  told  me,  such  a  one  was  not  long  since  taken  by  Sir 
Abraham  Wilhams,  a  gentleman  of  worth,  and  a  Brother  of  the 
Angle,  that,  yet  hves,  and  I  wish  he  may.  This  was  a  deep- 
bodied  fish,  and  doubtless  durst  have  devoured  a  Pike  of  half 
his  own  length  ;  for  I  have  told  you  he  is  a  bold  fish,  such  a 
one  as,  but  for  extreme  hunger,  the  Pike  will  not  devour :  for 
to  affright  the  Pike,  and  save  himself,  the  Pearch  will  set  up 
his  fins,  much  like  as  a  turkey-cock  will  sometimes  set  up  his 
tail. 

But,  my  Scholar,  the  Pearch  is  not  only  valiant  to  defend 
himself,  but  he  is,  as  I  said,  a  bold-biting  fish,  yet  he  will  not 
bite  at  all  seasons  of  the  year ;  he  is  very  abstemious  in  win- 
ter, yet  will  bite  then  in  the  midst  of  the  day,  if  it  be  warm : 
and  note,  that  all  fish  bite  best  about  the  mid-st  of  a  warm  day 
in  winter,  and  he  hath  been  observed  by  some  not  usually  to 
bite  till  the  mulberry-tree  buds;  that  is  to  say,  till  extreme 
frosts  be  past  the  spring  :  for  when  the  mulberry-tree  blossoms, 
many  gardeners  observe  their  forward  fruit  to  be  past  the  dan- 
ger of  frosts  ;  and  some  have  made  the  like  observation  of 
the  Pearch's  biting. 

But  bite  the  Pearch  will,  and  that  very  boldly  ;  and  as  one 
has  wittily  observed,  if  there  be  twenty  or  forty  in  a  hole, 
they  may  be,  at  one  standing,  all  catched  one  after  another ; 
they  being,  as  he  says,  like  the  wicked  of  the  world,  not 
afraid,  though  their  fellows  and  companions  perish  in  their 
sight.  And  you  may  observe,  that  they  are  not  like  the  soli- 
tary Pike ;  but  love  to  accompany  one  another,  and  march  to- 
gether in  troops. 


Chap.  XII.J  THE  COMPLETE   ANGLER.  175 

And  the  baits  for  this  bold  fish 


are  not  many :  I  mean,  he  will  bite  as  well  at  some  or  at  any 
of  these  three,  as  at  any  or  all  others  whatsoever, — a  worm,  a 
minnow,  or  a  little  frog,  of  which  you  may  find  many  in  hay- 
time  :  and  of  worms  the  dunghill-worm,  called  a  Brandling,  I 
take  to  be  best,  being  well  scoured  in  moss  or  fennel ;  or  he 
will  bite  at  a  worm  that  lies  under  cow-dung,  with  a  bluish 
head.  And  if  you  rove  for  a  Pearch  with  a  minnow,  then  it 
is  best  to  be  alive,  you  sticking  your  hook  through  his  back 
fin ;  or  a  minnow  with  a  hook  in  his  upper  lip,  and  letting  him 
swim  up  and  down,  about  mid-water  or  a  little  lo\/er,  and  you 
still  keeping  him  to  about  that  depth  by  a  cork,  which  ought 
not  to  be  a  very  little  one :  and  the  like  way  you  are  to  fish  for 
the  Pearch,  with  a  small  frog,  your  hook  being  fastened 
through  the  skin  of  his  leg,  towards  the  upper  part  of  it :  and 
lastly,  I  will  give  you  but  this  advice,  that  you  give  the  Pearch 
time  enough  when  he  bites,  for  there  was  scarce  ever  any  An- 
gler that  has  given  him  too  much.  And  now  I  think  best  to 
rest  myself,  for  I  have  almost  spent  my  spirits  with  talking  so 
long. 

Ven.  Nay,  good  Master,  one  fish  more,  for  you  see  it  rains 
still,  and  you  know  our  Angles  are  like  money  put  to  usury ; 
they  may  thrive,  though  we  sit  still  and  do  nothing  but  talk 
and  enjoy  one  another.  Come,  come,  the  other  fish,  good 
Master. 


176  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  I 

Pisc.  But,  Scholar,  have  you  nothing  to  mix  with  this  dis- 
course, which  now  grows  both  tedious  and  tiresome?  Shall  I 
have  nothing  from  you,  that  seem  to  have  both  a  good  memory 
and  a  cheerful  spirit  ? 

Ven.  Yes,  Master,  I  will  speak  you  a  copy  of  verses  that 
were  made  by  Doctor  Donne,  and  made  to  show  the  world 
that  he  could  make  soft  and  smooth  verses,  v/hen  he  thought 
smoothness  worth  his  labor ;  and  I  love  them  the  better,  be- 
cause they  allude  to  rivers,  and  fish,  and  fishing.  They  be 
these : — 

**  Come,  live  with  me,  and  be  my  love, 
And  we  will  some  new  pleasures  prove 
Of  golden  sands,  and  crystal  brooks, 
"With  silken  lines  and  silver  hooks.  ^ 

•'There  will  the  river  whispering  run, 
Warmed  by  the  eyes  more  than  the  sun  ; 
And  there  the  enamelled  fish  will  stay, 
Be^ng  themselves  they  may  betray. 

**  When  thou  wilt  swim  in  that  live  bath, 
Each  fish,  which  every  channel  hath, 
Most  amorously  to  thee  will  swim. 
Gladder  to  catch  thee  than  thou  him. 

**  If  thou  to  be  so  seen  be'st  loath, 
By  sun  or  moon,  thou  dark'nest  both  ; 
And  if  mine  eyes  have  leave  to  see, 
I  need  not  their  light,  having  thee. 

**  Let  others  freeze  with  angling-reeds, 
And  cut  their  legs  with  shells  and  weeds  ; 
Or  treacherously  poor  fish  beset 
With  strangling  snares,  or  windowy  net : 

•*  Let  coarse,  bold  hands  from  slimy  nest 
The  bedded  fish  in  banks  outwrest ; 
Let  curious  traitors  sleave  silk  flies, 
Xo  'witch  poor  wandering  fishes'  eyc§; 


Chap.  XII.]  THE  COMPLETE   ANGLER.  177 

"For  thee,  thou  need'st  no  such  deceit, 
For  thou  thyself  art  thine  own  bait : 
That  fish  that  is  not  catched  thereby 
Is  wiser  far,  alas  !  than  I." 

Pisc.  Well  remembered,  honest  Scholar  !  I  thank  you  for 
these  choice  verses,  which  I  have  heard  formerly,  but  had 
quite  forgot  till  they  were  recovered  by  your  happy  memory. 
Well,  being  I  have  now  rested  myself  a  little,  I  will  make  you 
some  requital,  by  telling  you  some  observations  of  the  Eel,  for 
it  rains  still ;  and  because,  as  you  say,  our  angles  are  as  money 
put  to  use,  that  thrives  when  we  play,  therefore  we  '11  sit  still 
and  enjoy  ourselves  a  little  longer  under  this  honeysuckle 
hedge.  ♦ 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XIII. — Observations  of  the  Eel,  and  other  Fish  thai  want 
scales  y  and  how  to  fish  for  them. 

PiSCATOR. 

IT  is  agreed  by  most  men,  that  the  Eel  is  a  most  dainty  fish : 
the  Romans  have  esteemed  her  the  Helena  of  their  feasts, 
and  some  the  queen  of  palate-pleasure.  But  most  men  differ 
about  their  breeding :  some  say  they  breed  by  generation  as 
other  fish  do ;  and  others,  that  they  breed,  as  some  worms  do, 
of  mud ;  as  rats  and  mice,  and  many  other  living  creatures, 
are  bred  in  Egypt  by  the  sun's  heat  when  it  shines  upon  the 
overflowing  of  the  river  Nilus ;  or  out  of  the  putrefaction  of 
the  earth,  and  divers  other  ways.  Those  that  deny  them  to 
breed  by  generation  as  other  fish  do,  ask,  If  any  man  ever  saw 
an  Eel  to  have  a  spawn  or  melt  ?  And  they  are  answered, 
that  they  may  be  as  certain  of  their  breeding  as  if  they  had 
seen  them  spawn :  for  they  say,  that  they  are  certain  that  Eels 
have  all  parts  fit  for  generation,  like  other  fish,  but  so  small  as 
not  to  be  easily  discerned,  by  reason  of  their  fatness,  but  that 
discerned  they  may  be,  and  that  the  he  and  the  she  Eel  may 
be  distinguished  by  their  fins.  And  Rondeletius  says,  he  has 
seen  Eels  cling  together  like  dew-worms. 

And  others  say,  that  Eels,  growing  old,  breed  other  Eels  out 
of  the  corruption  of  their  own  age,  which.  Sir  Francis  Bacon 
says,  exceeds  not  ten  years.  And  others  say,  that  as  pearls  are 
made  of  glutinous  dewdrops,  which  are  condensed  by  the  sun's 
heat  in  those  countries,  so  Ee'ls  are  bred  of  a  particular  dew, 
falling  in  the  months  of  May  or  June  on  the  banks  of  some 
particular  ponds  or  rivers,  apted  by  nature  for  that  end  ;  which 
in  a  few  days  are  by  the  sun's  heat  turned  into  Eels ;  and  some 


Chap.  XIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  179 

of  the  ancients  have  called  the  Eels  that  are  thus  bred  the 
offspring  of  Jove.  I  have  seen  in  the  beginning  of  July,  in  a 
river  not  far  from  Canterbury,  some  parts  of  it  covered  over 
with  young  Eels,  about  the  thickness  of  a  straw ;  and  these  Eels 
did  lie  on  the  top  of  that  water,  as  thick  as  motes  are  said  to 
be  in  the  sun :  and  I  have  heard  the  hke  of  other  rivers,  as 
namely  in'  Severn,  where  they  are  called  Yelversj  and  in  a 
pond  or  mere  near  unto  Staffordshire,  where,  about  a  set  time 
in  summer,  such  small  Eels  abound  so  much,  that  many  of  the 
poorer  sort  of  people,  that  inhabit  near  to  it,  take  such  Eels  out 
of  this  mere  with  sieves  or  sheets,  and  make  a  kind  of  Eel-cake 
of  them,  and  eat  it  like  as  bread.  And  Gesner  quotes  Vener- 
able Bede  to  say,  that  in  England  there  is  an  island  called  Ely, 
by  reason  of  the  innumerable  number  of  Eels  that  breed  in  it. 
But  that  Eels  may  be  bred  as  some  worms,  and  some  kind  of 
bees  and  wasps  are,  either  of  dew,  or  out  of  the  corruption  of 
the  earth,  seems  to  be  made  probable  by  the  barnacles  and 
young  goslings  bred  by  the  sun's  heat  and  the  rotten  planks  of 
an  old  ship,  and  hatched  of  trees ;  both  which  are  related  for 
truths  by  Du  Bartas  and  Lobel,  and  also  by  our  learned  Cam- 
den, and  laborious  Gerard  in  his  Herbal. 

It  is  said  by  Rondeletius,  that  those  Eels  that  are  bred  in 
rivers  that  relate  to  or  be  nearer  to  the  sea,  never  return  to  the 
fresh  waters,  as  the  Salmon  does  always  desire  to  do,  when  they 
have  once  tasted  the  salt-water ;  and  I  do  the  more  easily  be- 
lieve this,  because  I  am  certain  that  powdered  beef  is  a  most 
excellent  bait  to  catch  an  Eel.  And  though  Sir  Francis  Bacon 
will  allow  the  Eel's  life  to  be  but  ten  years,  yet  he,  in  his 
*'  History  of  Life  and  Death,"  mentions  a  Lamprey  belonging 
to  the  Roman  Emperor  to  be  made  tame,  and  so  kept  for 
almost  threescore  years  :  and  that  such  useful  and  pleasant  ob- 
servations were  made  of  this  Lamprey,  that  Crassus  the  orator, 
who  kept  her,  lamented  her  death.  And  we  read  in  Doctor 
Hakewill,  that  Hortensius  was  seen  to  weep  at  the  death  of  a 
Lamprey  that  he  had  kept  long,  and  loved  exceedingly. 


l80  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

It  is  granted  by  all,  or  most  men,  that  Eels,  for  about  six 
months,  that  is  to  say,  the  six  cold  months  of  the  year,  stir  not 
up  and  down,  neither  in  the  rivers,  nor  in  the  pools  in  which 
they  usually  are,  but  get  into  the  soft  earth  or  mud ;  and  there 
many  of  them  together  bed  themselves,  and  live  without  feed- 
ing upon  anything,  as  I  have  told  you  some  swallows  have  been 
observed  to  do  in  hollow  trees  for  those  cold  six  months :  and 
this  the  Eel  and  swallow  do,  as  not  being  able  to  endure  winter 
weather ;  for  Gesner  quotes  Albertus  to  say,  that  in  the  year 
1 125,  that  year's  winter  being  more  cold  than  usually.  Eels  did 
by  nature's  instinct  get  out  of  the  water  into  a  stack  of  hay  in 
a  meadow  upon  dry  ground,  and  there  bedded  themselves ;  but 
yet  at  last  a  frost  killed  them.  And  our  Camden  relates,  that 
in  Lancashire  fishes  were  digged  out  of  the  earth  with  spades, 
where  no  water  was  near  to  the  place.  I  shall  say  little  more 
of  the  Eel,  but  that,  as  it  is  observed  he  is  impatient  of  cold, 
so  it  hath  been  observed  that,  in  warm  weather,  an  Eel  has 
been  known  to  hve  five  days  out  of  the  water. 

And  lastly,  let  me  tell  you  that  some  curious  searchers  into 
the  natures  of  fish  observe  that  there  be  several  sorts  or  kinds 
of  Eels :  as  the  Silver  Eel,  and  Green  or  greenish  Eel,  with 
which  the  river  of  Thames  abounds,  and  those  are  called  Grigs ; 
and  a  blackish  Eel,  whose  head  is  more  flat  and  bigger  than 
ordinary  Eels ;  and  also  an  Eel  whose  fins  are  reddish,  and  but 
seldom  taken  in  this  nation,  and  yet  taken  sometimes.  These 
several  kinds  of  Eels  are,  say  some,  diversely  bred  ;  as  namely, 
out  of  the  corruption  of  the  earth,  and  some  by  dew,  and 
other  ways,  as  I  have  said  to  you:  and  yet  it  is  affirmed 
by  some  for  a  certain,  that  the  Silver  Eel  is  bred  by  genera- 
tion ;  but  not  by  spawning  as  other  fish  do,  but  that  her 
brood  come  alive  from  her,  being  then  httle  live  Eels  no  big- 
ger nor  longer  than  a  pin :  an-l  I  have  had  too  many  testimo- 
nies of  this  to  doubt  the  truth  of  it  myself;  and  if  I  thought 
it  needful  I  might  prove  it,  but  I  think  it  is  needless. 

And  this  Eel,  of  which  I  have  said  so  much  to  you,  may  be 


Chap.  XIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  l8l 

caught  with  divers  kinds  of  baits :  as  namely,  with  powdered 
beef;  with  a  lob  or  garden  worm  ;  with  a  minnow  ;  or  gut  of 
a  hen,  chicken,  or  the  guts  of  any  fish ;  or  with  almost  any- 
thing, for  he  is  a  greedy  fish.  But  the  Eel  may  be  caught, 
especially,  with  a  little,  a  very  Httle  Lamprey,  which  some  call 
a  Pride,  and  may  in  the  hot  months  be  found  many  of  them  in 
the  river  Thames,  and  in  many  mud-heaps  in  other  rivers; 
yea,  almost  as  usually  as  one  finds  worms  in  a  dunghill. 

Next  note,  that  the  Eel  seldom  stirs  in  the  day,  but  then 
hides  himself;  and  therefore  he  is  usually  caught  by  night, 
with  one  of  these  bai^  of  which  I  have  spoken,  and  may  be 
then  caught  by  laying  hooks,  which  you  are  to  fasten  to  the 
bank,  or  twigs  of  a  tree ;  or  by  throwing  a  string  cross  the 
stream  with  many  hooks  at  it,  and  those  baited  with  the  afore- 
said baits ;  and  a  clod,  or  plummet,  or  stone,  thrown  into  the 
river  with  this  line,  that  so  you  may  in  the  morning  find  it 
near  to  some  fixed  place,  and  then  take  it  up  with  a  drag-hook 
or  otherwise.  But  these  things  are,  indeed,  too  common  to  be 
spoken  of,  and  an  hour's  fishing  with  any  Angler  will  teach 
you  better  both  for  these  and  many  other  common  things  in 
the  practical  part  of  Angling,  than  a  week's  discourse.  I  shall 
therefore  conclude  this  direction  for  taking  the  Eel,  by  telling 
you  that,  in  a  warm  day  in  summer,  I  have  taken  many  a  good 
Eel  by  snigling,  and  have  been  much  pleased  with  that  sport. 

And  because  you  that  are  but  a  young  Angler  know  not 
what  snigling  is,  I  will  now  teach  it  to  you.  You  remember  I 
told  you  that  Eels  do  not  usually  stir  in  the  daytime,  for  then 
they  hide  themselves  under  some  covert,  or  under  boards  or 
planks  about  flood-gates,  or  weirs,  or  mills,  or  in  holes  in  the  riv- 
er-banks :  so  that  you,  observing  your  time  in  a  warm  day, 
when  the  water  is  lowest,  may  take  a  strong,  small  hook,  tied 
to  a  strong  line,  or  to  a  string  about  a  yard  long  ;  and  then 
into  one  of  these  holes,  or  between  any  boards  about  a  mill,  or 
under  any  great  stone  or  plank,  or  any  place  where  you  think 
an  Eel  may  hide  or  shelter  herself,  you  may,  and  with  the  help 


1 82 


THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER. 


[Part  I. 


of  a  short  stick,  put  in  your  bait,  but  leisurely,  and  as  far  as 
you  may  conveniently  :  and  it  is  scarce  to  be  doubted  but  that, 
if  there  be  an  Eel  within  the  sight  of  it,  the  Eel  will  bite  in- 
stantly, and  as  certainly  gorge  it :  and  you  need  not  doubt  to 
have  him,  if  you  pull  him  not  out  of  the  hole  too  quickly,  but 
pull  him  out  by  degrees ;  for  he,  lying  folded  double  in  his 
hole,  will,  with  the  help  of  his  tail,  break  all,  unless  you  give 
him  time  to.  be  wearied  with  pulling,  and  so  get  him  out  by 
degrees,  not  puUing  too  hard. 

And  to  commute  for  your  patient  hearing  this  long  direction, 
I  shall  next  tell  you  how  to  make  this  Eel 


.V-^--:>.-^--.. 


a  most  excellent  dish  of  meat. 

First,  wash  him  in  water  and  salt ;  then  pull  off  his  skin  be- 
low his  vent  or  navel,  and  not  much  further :  having  done 
vthat,  take  out  his  guts  as  clean  as  you  can,  but  wash  him  not : 
then  give  him  three  or  four  scotches  with  a  knife ;  and  then 
put  into  his  belly  and  those  scotches  sweet  herbs,  an  anchovy, 
and  a  little  nutmeg  grated  or  cut  very  small ;  and  your  herbs 
and  anchovies  must  also  be  cut  very  small,  and  mixed  with 
good  butter  and  salt :  having  done  this,  then  pull  his  skin  over 
him  all  but  his  head,  which  you  are  to  cut  off,  to  the  end  you 
may  tie  his  skin  about  that  part  where  his  head  grew,  and  it 
must  be  so  tied  as  to  keep  all  his  moisture  within  his  skin ;  and 


Chap.  Xin!]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  1 83 

having  done  this,  tie  him  with  tape  or  packthread  to  a  spit, 
and  roast  him  leisurely,  and  baste  him  with  water  and  salt  till 
his  skin  breaks,  and  then  with  butter :  and  having  roasted  him 
enough,  let  what  was  put  into  his  belly,  and  what  he  drips,  be 
his  sauce.     S.  F. 

When  I  go  to  dress  an  Eel  thus,  I  wish  he  were  as  long  and 
big  as  that  which  was  caught  in  Peterborough  River  in  the 
year  1667,  which  was  a  yard  and  three  quarters  long.  If  you 
will  not  believe  me,  then  go  and  see  at  one  of  the  coffee- 
houses in  King  Street  in  Westminster. 

But  now  let  me  tell  you,  that  though  the  Eel  thus  dressed  be 
not  only  excellent  good,  but  more  harmless  than  any  other 
way,  yet  it  is  certain  that  physicians  account  the  Eel  dangerous 
meat ;  I  will  advise  you  therefore,  as  Solomon  says  of  honey, 
Prov.  XXV.  16,  "  Hast  thou  found  it,  eat  no  more  than  is  suffi- 
cient, lest  thou  surfeit,  for  it  is  not  good  to  eat  much  honey." 
And  let  me  add  this,  that  the  uncharitable  Italian  bids  us 
*'give  Eels,  and  no  wine,  to  our  enemies." 

And  I  will  beg  a  Httle  more  of  your  attention  to  tell  you, 
that  Aldrovandus  and  divers  physicians  commend  the  Eel  very 
much  for  medicine,  though  not  for  meat.  But  let  me  tell  you 
one  observation  ;  that  the  Eel  is  never  out  of  season,  as  Trouts 
and  most  fish  are  at  set  times ;  at  least  most  Eels  are  not. 

I  might  here  speak  of  many  other  fish  whose  shape  and 
nature  are  much  like  the  Eel,  and  frequent  both  the  sea  and 
fresh  rivers ;  as  namely,  the  Lamprel,  the  Lamprey,  and  the 
Lamperne ;  as  also  of  the  mighty  Conger,  taken  often  in  Severn 
about  Gloucester :  and  might  also  tell  in  what  high  esteem 
many  of  them  are  for  the  curiosity  of  their  taste.  But  these 
are  not  so  proper  to  be  talked  of  by  me,  because  they  make  us 
Anglers  no  sport ;  therefore  I  will  let  them  alone,  as  the  Jewi 
do,  to  whom  they  are  forbidden  by  their  law. 

And,  Scholar,  there  is  also  a  Flounder,  a  sea-fish,  which 
will  wander  very  far  into  fresh  rivers,  and  thcve  lose  himself^ 


1 84  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  !. 

and  dwell,  and  thrive  to  a  hand's  breadth,  and  almost  twice  so 
long, — a  fish  without  scales,  and  most  excellent  meat, — and  a 
fish  that  affords  much  sport  to  the  Angler,  with  any  small 
worm,  but  especially  a  Httle  bluish  worm,  gotten  out  of  marsh- 
ground  or  meadows,  which  should  be  well  scoured.  But  this, 
though  it  be  most  excellent  meat,  yet  it  wants  scales,  and  is,  as 
I  told  you,  therefore  an  abomination  to  the  Jews. 

But,  Scholar,  there  is  a  fish  that  they  in  Lancashire  boast 
very  much  of,  called  a  Char,  taken  there,  and  I  think  there 
only,  in  a  mere  called  Winander-Mere ;  a  mere,  says  Camden, 
that  is  the  largest  in  this  nation,  being  ten  miles  in  length,  and, 
some  say,  as  smooth  in  the  bottom  as  if  it  were  paved  with 
polished  marble.  This  fish  never  exceeds  fifteen  or  sixteen 
inches  in  length,  and  't  is  spotted  like  a  Trout,  and  has  scarce 
a  bone  but  on  the  back.  But  this,  though  I  do  not  know 
whether  it  make  the  Angler  sport,  yet  I  would  have  you  take 
notice  of  it,  because  it  is  a  rarity,  and  of  so  high  esteem  with 
persons  of  great  note. 

Nor  would  I  have  you  ignorant  of  a  rare  fish  called  a  Gui- 
NiAD,  of  which  I  shall  tell  you  what  Camden  and  others  speak. 
The  river  Dee,  which  runs  by  Chester,  springs  in  Merioneth- 
shire ;  and,  as  it  runs  toward  Chester,  it  runs  through  Pemble- 
Mere,  which  is  a  large  water  :  and  it  is  observed  that,  though 
the  river  Dee  abounds  with  Salmon,  and  Pemble-Mere  with 
the  Guiniad,  yet  there  is  never  any  Salmon  caught  in  the  mere, 
nor  a  Guiniad  in  the  river.  And  now  my  next  observation 
shall  be  of  the  Barbel. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XIV. — Observations  of  the  Barbel,  and  Directions  how 
to  fish  for  him. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Barbel  is  so  called,  says  Gesner,  by  reason  of  his  barb 
*  or  wattels  at  his  mouth,  which  are  under  his  nose  or  chaps. 
He  is  one  of  those  leather-mouthed  fishes  that  I  told  you  of,  that 
does  very  seldom  break  his  hold  if  he  be  once  hooked :  but  he 
is  so  strong,  that  he  will  often  break  both  rod  and  line,  if  he 
proves  to  be  a  big  one. 

But  the  Barbel,  though  he  be  of  a  fine  shape,  and  looks  big, 
yet  he  is  not  accounted  the  best  fish  to  eat,  neither  for  his 
wholesomeness  nor  his  taste :  but  the  male  is  reputed  much  better 
than  the  female,  whose  spawn  is  very  hurtful,  as  I  will  presently 
declare  to  you. 

They  flock  together  like  sheep,  and  are  at  the  worst  in  April, 
about  which  time  they  spawn,  but  quickly  grow  to  be  in  season. 
He  is  abfe  to  live  in  the  strongest  swifts  of  the  water,  and  in 
summer  they  love  the  shallowest  and  sharpest  streams ;  and  love 
to  lurk  under  weeds,  and  to  feed  on  gravel  against  a  rising 
ground,  and  will  root  and  dig  in  the  sands  with  his  nose  like  a 
hog,  and  there  nests  himself:  yet  sometimes  he  retires  to  deep 
and  swift  bridges,  or  flood-gates,  or  weirs,  where  he  will  nest 
himself  amongst  piles,  or  in  hollow  places,  and  take  such  hold 
of  moss  or  weeds,  that,  be  the  water  never  so  swift,  it  is  not 
able  to  force  him  from  the  place  that  he  contends  for.  This  is 
his  constant  custom  in  summer,  when  he  and  most  living  creat- 
ures sport  themselves  in  the  sun  ;  but  at  the  approach  of  winter, 
then  he  forsakes  the  swift  streams  and  shallow  waters,  and  by 
degrees  retires  to  those  parts  of  the  river  that  are  quiet  and 


1 86 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


tPART  I. 


deeper  :  in  which  places,  and  I  think  about  that  time,  he  spawns  •, 
and,  as  I  have  formerly  told  you,  with  the  help  of  the  melter, 
hides  his  spawn  or  eggs  in  holes,  which  they  both  dig  in  the 
gravel :  and  then  they  mutually  labor  to  cover  it  with  the  same 
sand,  to  prevent  it  from  being  devoured  by  other  fish. 

There  be  such  store  of  this  fish  in  the  river  Danube,  that 
Rondeletius  says  they  may  in  some  places  of  it,  and  in  some 
months  in  the  year,  be  taken  by  those  that  dwell  near  to  the 
river,  with  their  hands,  eight  or  ten  load  at  a  time.  He  says, 
they  begin  to  be  good  in  May,  and  that  they  cease  to  be  so  in 
August,  but  it  is  found  to  be  otherwise  in  this  nation :  but  thus 
far  we  agree  with  him,  that  the  spawn  of  a  Barbel,  if  it  be  not 
poison,  as  he  says,  yet  that  it  is  dangerous  meat,  and  especially 
in  the  month  of  May ;  which  is  so  certain,  that  Gesner  and 
Gasius  declare  it  had  an  ill  effect  upon  them,  even  to  the  en- 
dangering of  their  lives. 

This  fish  is  of  a  fine  cast  and  handsome  shape,  with  small 
scales,  which  are  placed  after  a  most  exact  and  curious  manner, 
and,  as  I  told  you,  may  be  rather  said  not  to  be  ill,  than  to  be 
good  meat.  The  Chub  and  he  have,  I  think,  both  lost  part  of 
their  credit  by  ill  cookery,  they  being  reputed  the  worst  or 
coarsest  of  fresh-water  fish.     But  the  Barbel 


affords  an  Angler  choice  sport,  being  a  lusty  and  a  cunning  fish  ; 
80  lusty  and  cunning  as  to  endanger  the  breaking  of  the  Angler's 


Chap.  XIV.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  1 87 

line,  by  running  his  head  forcibly  towards  any  covert,  or  hole, 
or  bank ;  and  then  striking  at  the  line,  to  break  it  off  with  his 
tail,  as  is  observed  by  Plutarch,  in  his  book  **  De  Industria 
Animalium  "  ;  and  also  so  cunning  to  nibble  and  suck  off  your 
worm  close  to  the  hook,  and  yet  avoid  the  letting  the  hook 
come  into  his  mouth. 

The  Barbel  is  also  curious  for  his  baits,  that  is  to  say,  that 
fhey  be  clean  and  sweet ;  that  is  to  say,  to  have  your  worms 
well  scoured,  and  not  kept  in  sour  and  musty  moss,  for  he  is  a 
curious  feeder :  but  at  a  well-scoured  Lob-worm  he  will  bite  as 
boldly  as  at  any  bait,  and  specially  if,  the  night  or  two  before 
you  fish  for  him,  you  shall  bait  the  places  where  you  intend  to 
fish  for  him  with  big  worms  cut  into  pieces  :  and  note,  that  none 
did  ever  over-bait  the  place,  nor  fish  too  early  or  too  late  for  a 
Barbel.  And  the  Barbel  will  bite  also  at  gentles,  which  not 
being  too  much  scoured,  but  green,  are  a  choice  bait  for  him ; 
and  so  is  cheese,  which  is  not  to  be  too  hard,  but  kept  a  day  or 
two  in  a  wet  linen  cloth  to  make  it  tough :  with  this  you  may 
also  bait  the  water  a  day  or  two  before  you  fish  for  the  Barbel, 
and  be  much  the  likelier  to  catch  store :  and  if  the  cheese  were 
laid  in  clarified  honey  a  short  time  before,  as  namely,  an  hour 
or  two,  you  were  still  the  likelier  to  catch  fish.  Some  have 
directed  to  cut  the  cheese  into  thin  pieces,  and  toast  it,  and 
then  tie  it  on  the  hook  with  fine  silk :  and  some  advise  to  fish 
for  the  Barbel  with  sheep's  tallow  and  soft  cheese  beaten  or 
worked  into  a  paste,  and  that  it  is  choicely  good  in  August,  and 
I  believe  it :  but  doubtless  the  Lob-worm  well  scoured,  and  the 
gentle  not  too  much  scoured,  and  cheese  ordered  as  I  have 
directed,  are  baits  enough,  and  I  think  will  serve  in  any  month ; 
though  I  shall  commend  any  Angler  that  tries  conclusions,  and 
is  industrious  to  improve  the  art.  And  now,  my  honest  Scholar, 
the  long  shower  and  my  tedious  discourse  are  both  ended  to- 
gether :  and  I  shall  give  you  but  this  observation,  that  when  you 
fish  for  a  Barbel  your  rod  and  line  be  both  long,  and  of  good 
strength ;  for,  as  I  told  you,  you  will  find  him  a  heavy  and  a 


1 88  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

dogged  fish  to  be  dealt  withal,  yet  he  seldom  or  never  breaks 
his  hold  if  he  be  once  strucken.  And  if  you  would  know  more 
of  fishing  for  the  Umber  or  Barbel,  get  into  favor  with  Doctor 
Sheldon,  whose  skill  is  above  others ;  and  of  that  the  poor  that 
dwell  about  him  have  a  comfortable  experience. 

And  now  let  's  go  and  see  what  interest  the  Trouts  will  pay 
us  for  letting  our  Angle-rods  lie  so  long,  and  so  quietly,  in 
the  water,  for  their  use.  Come,  Scholar,  which  will  you  take 
up? 

Ven.  Which  you  think  fit,  Master. 

Pisc.  Why,  you  shall  take  up  that;  for  I  am  certain,  by 
viewing  the  line,  it  has  a  fish  at  it.  Look  you.  Scholar  !  Well 
done  !  Come  now,  take  up  the  other  too ;  well !  Now  you 
may  tell  my  brother  Peter  at  night,  that  you  have  caught  a 
leash  of  Trouts  this  day.  And  now  let  's  move  toward  our 
lodging,  and  drink  a  draught  of  red-cow's  milk  as  we  go,  and 
give  pretty  Maudlin  and  her  honest  mother  a  brace  of  Trouts 
for  their  supper. 

Ven.  Master,  I  like  your  motion  very  well ;  and  I  think  it 
is  now  about  milking-time,  and  yonder  they  be  at  it. 

Pisc.  God  speed  you,  good  woman  !  I  thank  you  both  for 
our  songs  last  night :  I  and  my  companion  have  had  such  fort- 
une a-fishing  this  day,  that  we  resolve  to  give  you  and  Maud- 
lin a  brace  of  Trouts  for  supper,  and  we  will  now  taste  a  draught 
of  your  red-cow's  milk. 

MiLKW.  Marry,  and  that  you  shall  with  all  my  heart,  and  I 
will  be  still  your  debtor  when  you  come  this  way  :  if  you  will 
but  speak  the  word  I  will  make  you  a  good  syllabub,  of  new 
verjuice,  and  then  you  may  sit  down  in  a  hay-cock  and  eat  it ; 
and  Maudlin  shall  sit  by  and  sing  you  the  good  old  song  of  the 
*' Hunting  in  Chevy  Chace,"  or  some  other  good  ballad,  for 
she  hath  store  of  them.  Maudlin,  my  honest  Maudlin,  hath  a 
notable  memory,  and  she  thinks  nothing  too  good  for  you,  be- 
cause you  be  such  honest  men. 

Ven.   We  thank  you,  and  intend  once  in  a  month  to  caU 


Chap.  XIV.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  I89 

upon  you  again,  and  give  you  a  little  warning,  and  so  good 
night.     Good  night,  Maudlin.     And  now,  good  Master,  let 's 
lose  no  time;  but  tell  me  somewhat  more  of  fishing,  and,  if 
you  please,  first  something  of  fishing  for  a  Gudgeon. 
Pisc.  I  will,  honest  Scholar. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap  ^^ ,— Observations  of  the  Gudgeon,  the  Ruffe,  and  the 
Bleak,  and  how  to  fish  for  them. 

PiSCATOR. 

T^HE  Gudgeon  is  reputed  a  fish  of  excellent  taste,  and  to  be 
^    very  wholesome :  he  is  of  a  fine  shape,  of  a  silver  color, 


and  beautified  with  black  spots  both  on  his  body  and  tail.  He 
breeds  two  or  three  times  in  the  year,  and  always  in  summer. 
He  is  commended  for  a  fish  of  excellent  nourishment :  the  Ger- 
mans call  him  Groundling,  by  reason  of  his  feeding  on  the 
ground ;  and  he  there  feasts  himself  in  sharp  streams,  and  on 
the  gravel.  He  and  the  Barbel  both  feed  so,  and  do  not  hunt 
for  flies  at  any  time,  as  most  other  fishes  do :  he  is  an  excellent 
fish  to  enter  a  young  Angler,  being  easy  to  be  taken  with  a 
small  red-worm,  on  or  very  near  to  the  ground.  He  is  one  of 
those  leather-mouthed  fish  that  has  his  teeth  in  his  throat,  and 
will  hardly  be  lost  from  off  the  hook  if  he  be  once  strucken.  They 
be  usually  scattered  up  and  down  every  river  in  the  shallows, 
in  the  heat  of  summer ;  but  in  autumn,  when  the  weeds  begin 
to  grow  sour  or  rot,  and  the  weather  colder,  then  they  gather 


Chap.  XV.l  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  Ipl 

together,  and  get  into  the  deeper  parts  of  the  water ;  and  are  to 
be  fished  for  there,  with  your  hook  always  touching  the  ground, 
if  you  fish  for  him  with  a  float,  or  with  a  cork.  But  many  will 
fish  for  the  Gudgeon  by  hand,  with  a  running-line  upon  the 
ground,  without  a  cork,  as  a  Trout  is  fished  for,  and  it  is  am 
excellent  way,  if  you  have  a  gentle  rod  and  as  gentle  a  hand. 

There  is  also  another  fish  called  a  Pope,  and  by  some  a 
Ruffe  j  a  fish  that  is  not  known  to  be  in  some  rivers :  he  is 


much  like  the  Pearch  for  his  shape,  ind  taken  to  be  better 
than  the  Pearch,  but  will  not  grow  to  be  bigger  than  a  Gud- 
geon :  he  is  an  excellent  fish,  no  fish  that  swims  is  of  a  pleas- 
anter  taste,  and  he  is  also  excellent  to  enter  a  young  Angler, 
for  he  is  a  greedy  biter,  and  they  will  usually  lie,  abundance  of 
them  together,  in  one  reserved  place,  where  the  water  is  deep, 
and  runs  quietly ;  and  an  easy  Angler,  if  he  has  found  where 
they  lie,  may  catch  forty  or  fifty,  or  sometimes  twice  so  many, 
at  a  standing. 

You  must  fish  for  him  with  a  small  red  worm,  and  if  you 
bait  the  ground  with  earth,  it  is  excellent. 

There  is  also  a  Bleak,  or  Fresh-water  Sprat,  a  fish  that  is 
ever  in  motion,  and  therefore  called  by  some  the  River-Swal- 
low ;  for  just  as  you  shall  observe  the  Swallow  to  be,  most 
evenings  in  summer,  ever  in  motion,  making  short  and  quick 
turns  when  he  flies  to  catch  flies  in  the  aii ,  by  which  he  lives, 
30  does  the  Bleak  at  the  top  of  the  water.     Ausonius  would 


192  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  L 

have  him  called  Bleak,  from  his  whitish  color ;  his  back  is  of 
a  pleasant  sad  or  sea-water-green,  his  belly  white  and  shining 


as  the  mountain  snow.  And,  doubtless,  though  he  have  the 
fortune,  which  virtue  has  in  poor  people,  to  be  neglected,  yet 
the  Bleak  ought  to  be  much  valued,  though  we  want  AUamot- 
salt,  and  the  skill  that  the  Italians  have  to  turn  them  into  An- 
chovies. This  fish  may  be  caught  with  a  Pater-noster  line ; 
that  is,  six  or  eight  very  small  hooks  tied  along  the  line,  one 
half  a  foot  above  the  other :  I  have  seen  five  caught  thus  at 
one  time,  and  the  bait  has  been  gentles,  than  which  none  is 
better. 

Or  this  fish  may  be  caught  with  a  fine  small  artificial  fly, 
which  is  to  be  of  a  very  sad  brown  color,  and  very  small,  and 
the  hook  answerable.  There  is  no  better  sport  than  whipping 
for  Bleaks  in  a  boat,  or  on  a  bank  in  the  swift  water  in  a  sum- 
mer's evening,  with  a  hazel  top  about  five  or  six  foot  long,  and 
a  line  twice  the  length  of  the  rod.  I  have  heard  Sir  Henry 
Wotton  say,  that  there  be  many  that  in  Italy  will  catch  swal- 
lows so,  or  especially  martins,  this  bird-angler  standing  on  the 
top  of  a  steeple  to  do  it,  and  with  a  line  twice  so  long  as  I 
have  spoken  of:  and  let  me  tell  you,  Scholar,  that  both  Mar- 
tins and  Bleaks  be  most  excellent  meat. 

And  let  me  tell  you,  that  I  have  known  a  Hern  that  did 
constantly  frequent  one  place  caught  with  a  hook  baited  with 
a  big  minnow  or  a  small  gudgeon.  The  line  and  hook  must 
be  strong,  and  tied  to  some  loose  staff,  so  big  as  she  cannot  fly 
?iway  with  it, — a  line  not  exceeding  two  yards. 


THE    FOURTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XVI. — Is  of  nothing,  or  that  which  is  nothing  worth. 

PiSCATOR. 

MY  purpose  was  to  give  you  some  directions  concerning 
Roach  and  Dace,  and  some  other  inferior  fish,  which 
make  the  Angler  excellent  sport,  for  you  know  there  is  more 
pleasure  in  hunting  the  hare  than  in  eating  her :  but  I  will  for- 
bear at  this  time  to  say  any  more,  because  you  see  yonder 
come  our  Brother  Peter  and  honest  Coridon.  But  I  will  prom- 
ise you,  that,  as  you  and  I  fish  and  walk  to-morrow  towards 
London,  if  I  have  now  forgotten  anything  that  I  can  then  re- 
member, I  will  not  keep  it  from  you. 

Well  met,  Gentlemen  ;  this  is  lucky  that  we  meet  so  just  to- 
gether at  this  very  door.  Come,  Hostess,  where  are  you  ?  Is 
supper  ready?  Come,  first  give  us  drink,  and  be  as  quick  as 
you  can,  for  I  believe  we  are  all  very  hungry.  Well,  Brotker 
Peter  and  Coridon,  to  you  both  !  come,  drink,  and  then  tell 
me  what  luck  of  fish  :  we  two  have  caught  but  ten  Trouts,  of 
which  my  Scholar  caught  three;  look,  here  's  eight,  and  a 
brace  we  gave  away  :  we  have  had  a  most  pleasant  day  for  fish- 
ing and  talking,  and  are  returned  home  both  weary  and  hun- 
gry ;  and  now  meat  and  rest  will  be  pleasant. 

Pet.  And  Coridon  and  I  have  had  not  an  unpleasant  day, 
and  yet  I  have  caught  but  five  Trouts ;  for  indeed  we  went  to 
a  good  honest  ale-house,  and  there  we  played  at  shovel-board 
half  the  day ;  all  the  time  that  it  rained  we  were  there,  and  as 
merry  as  they  that  fished.  And  I  am  glad  we  are  now  with  a 
dry  house  over  our  heads;  for,  hark  !  how  it  rains  and  blows. 
Come,  Hostess,  give  us  more  ale,  and  our  supper  with  what 


194  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

haste  you  may :  and  when  we  have  supped  let  us  have  your 
song,  Piscator,  and  the  catch  that  your  Scholar  promised  us, 
cm:  else  Coridon  will  be  dogged. 

Pisc.  Nay,  I  will  not  be  worse  than  my  word ;  you  shall 
not  want  my  song,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  perfect  in  it. 

Ven.  And  I  hope  the  like  for  my  catch,  which  I  have  ready 
too :  and  therefore  let  's  go  merrily  to  supper,  and  then  have 
a  gentle  touch  at  singing  and  drinking  ;  but  the  last  with  mod- 
eration. 

Cor.  Come,  now  for  your  song,  for  we  have  fed  heartily. 
Come,  Hostess,  lay  a  few  more  sticks  on  the  fire,  and  now  sing 
when  you  will. 

Pisc.  Well  then  here  *s  to  you,  Coridon ;  and  now  for  my 
song. 

•*  O,  the  gallant  fisher's  life, 
It  is  the  best  of  any  j 
'T  is  full  of  pleasure,  void  of  strife, 
And  't  is  beloved  by  many : 

Other  joys 

Are  but  toys, 

Only  this 

Lawful  is  ; 

For  our  skill 

Breeds  no  ill, 
But  content  and  pleasure. 

**  In  a  morning  up  we  rise, 
Ere  Aurora  's  peeping  : 
Drink  a  cup  to  wash  our  eyet, 
Leave  the  sluggard  sleeping  : 

Then  we  go 

To  and  fro, 

With  our  knacks 

At  our  backs, 

To  such  streams 

As  the  Thames, 
If  we  have  the  leisure. 

•*  When  we  please  to  walk  abrowjl 
For  our  recreation, 


Chap.  XVI. J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  I9V 

In  the  fields  is  our  abode, 
J'^ull  of  delectation  : 

Where  in  a  brook 

With  a  hook, 

Or  a  lake. 

Fish  we  take  ; 

There  we  sit, 

For  a  bit, 
Till  we  fish  entangle. 

**  We  have  gentles  in  a  horn. 
We  have  paste  and  worms  toe. ; 
We  can  watch  both  night  and  monu 
Suffer  rain  and  storms  too. 

None  do  here 

Use  to  swear, 

Oaths  do  fray 

Fish  away ; 

We  sit  still, 

And  watch  our  quill  ; 
Fishers  must  not  wrangle. 

**  If  the  sun's  excessive  heat 
Make  our  bodies  swelter. 
To  an  osier-hedge  we  get 
For  a  friendly  shelter  ; 

Where  in  a  dike 

Pearch  or  Pike, 

Roach  or  Dace, 

We  do  chase. 

Bleak  or  Gudgeon 

Without  grudging  ; 
We  are  still  contented. 

**  Or  we  sometimes  pass  an  hott? 
Under  a  green  willow  ; 
That  defends  us  from  a  shower, 
Making  earth  our  pillow  ; 

Where  we  may 

Think  and  pray, 

Before  death 

Stops  our  breath  j 


196  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

Other  joys  ' 

Are  but  toys, 
And  to  be  lamented." 

Jo.  Chalkhill. 

Ven.  Well  sung,  Master  !  This  day's  fortune  and  pleasure, 
and  this  night's  company  and  song,  do  all  make  me  more  and 
more  in  love  with  AngUng.  Gentlemen,  my  Master  left  me 
alone  for  an  hour  this  day ;  and  I  verily  believe  he  retired  him- 
self from  talking  with  me,  that  he  might  be  so  perfect  in  this 
song ;  was  it  not.  Master  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  indeed,  for  it  is  many  years  since  I  learned  it ; 
and  having  forgotten  a  part  of  it,  I  was  forced  to  patch  it  up  by 
the  help  of  mine  own  invention,  who  am  not  excellent  at  poetry, 
as  my  part  of  the  song  may  testify  :  but  of  that  I  will  say  no 
more,  lest  you  should  think  I  mean  by  discommending  it  to  beg 
your  commendations  of  it.  And  therefore,  without  replications, 
let  's  hear  your  catch.  Scholar ;  which  I  hope  will  be  a  good 
one,  for  you  are  both  musical  and  have  a  good  fancy  to  boot. 

Ven.  Marry,  and  that  you  shall ;  and  as  freely  as  I  would 
have  my  honest  Master  tell  me  some  more  secrets  of  fish  and 
fishing  as  we  walk  and  fish  towards  London  to-morrow.  But, 
Master,  first  let  me  tell  you  that,  that  very  hour  which  you 
were  absent  from  me,  I  sat  down  under  a  willow-tree  by  the 
water-side,  and  considered  what  you  had  told  me  of  the  owner 
of  that  pleasant  meadow  in  which  you  then  left  me :  that  he 
had  a  plentiful  estate,  and  not  a  heart  to  think  so ;  that  he  had 
at  this  time  many  lawsuits  depending,  and  that  they  both 
damped  his  mirth,  and  took  up  so  much  of  his  time  and 
thoughts,  that  he  himself  had  not  leisure  to  take  the  sweet  con- 
tent that  I,  who  pretended  no  title  to  them,  took  in  his  fields : 
for  I  could  there  sit  quietly ;  and,  looking  on  the  water,  see 
some  fishes  sport  themselves  in  the  silver  streams,  others  leap- 
ing at  flies  of  several  shapes  and  colors ;  looking  on  the  hills,  I 
could  behold  them  spotted  with  woods  and  groves;  looking 
dowQ  the  meadows,  could  see  here  a  boy  gathering  lilies  and 


Chap.  XVI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  197 

lady-smocks,  and  there  a  girl  cropping  culverkeyes  and  cow- 
slips, all  to  make  garlands  suitable  to  this  present  month  of 
May.  These,  and  many  other  field -flowers,  so  perfumed  the 
air,  that  I  thought  that  very  meadow  like  that  field  in  Sicily, 
of  which  Diodorus  speaks,  where  the  perfumes  arising  from  the 
place  make  all  dogs  that  hunt  in  it  to  fall  off,  and  to  lose  their 
hottest  scent.  I  say,  as  I  thus  sat,  joying  in  my  own  happy 
condition,  and  pitying  this  poor  rich  man  that  owned  this  and 
many  other  pleasant  groves  and  meadows  about  me,  I  did 
thankfully  remember  what  my  Saviour  said,  that  the  meek  pos- 
sess the  earth  ;  or,  rather,  they  enjoy  what  the  other  possess  and 
enjoy  not :  for  Anglers,  and  meek,  quiet-spirited  men,  are  free 
from  those  high,  those  restless  thoughts,  which  corrode  the 
sweets  of  life ;  and  they,  and  they  only,  can  say,  as  the  poet 
has  happily  expressed  it : — 

'•  Hail  !  blest  estate  of  lowliness  ! 

Happy  enjoyments  of  such  minds, 

As,  rich  in  self-contentedness, 

Can,  like  the  reeds  in  roughest  winds, 
By  yielding  make  that  blow  but  small 
At  which  proud  oaks  and  cedars  fall." 

There  came  also  into  my  mind  at  that  time  certain  verses  in 
praise  of  a  mean  estate  and  an  humble  mind ;  they  were  writ- 
ten by  Phineas  Fletcher,  an  excellent  Divine,  and  an  excellent 
Angler,  and  the  author  of  excellent  Piscatory  Eclogues,  in 
which  you  shall  see  the  picture  of  this  good  man's  mind ;  and 
I  wish  mine  to  be  like  it. 

"  No  empty  hopes,  no  courtly  fears,  him  fright. 
No  begging  wants  his  middle-fortune  bite, 

But  sweet  content  exiles  both  misery  and  spite. 
His  certain  life,  that  never  can  deceive  him, 

Is  full  of  thousand  sweets,  and  rich  content ; 
The  smooth-leaved  beeches  in  the  field  receive  him 

With  coolest  shade,  till  noontide's  heat  be  spent: 
His  life  is  neither  tossed  in  boisterous  seas, 
Or  the  vexatious  world,  or  lost  in  slothful  ease  : 
Pleased  and  full  bkst  he  Uves,  when  he  his  God  qslu  pi 


198  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

•'  His  bed,  more  safe  than  soft,  yields  quiet  sleeps, 
"While  by  his  side  his  faithful  spouse  hath  place  ; 

His  little  son  into  his  bosom  creeps, 
The  lively  picture  of  his  father's  face. 

His  humble  house  or  poor  state  ne'er  torment  him  ; 

Less  he  could  like,  if  less  his  God  had  lent  him  ; 

And  when  he  dies,  green  turfs  do  for  a  tomb  content  him." 

Gentlemen,  these  were  a  part  of  the  thoughts  that  then  pos- 
sessed me.  And  I  there  made  a  conversion  of  a  piece  of  an 
old  catch,  and  added  more  to  it,  fitting  them  to  be  sung  by  us 
Anglers.  Come,  Master,  you  can  sing  well;  you  must  sing 
a  part  of  it  as  it  is  in  this  paper. 

Pet.  I  marry,  Sir,  this  is  music  indeed  !  This  has  cheered 
my  heart,  and  made  me  to  remember  six  verses  in  praise  of 
Music,  which  I  will  speak  to  you  instantly. 

"  Music  !  miraculous  rhetoric  !  that  speak'st  sense 
Without  a  tongue,  excelling  eloquence  ; 
With  what  ease  might  thy  errors  be  excused, 
Wert  thou  as  truly  loved  as  thou  'rt  abused  ! 
But  thou  dull  souls  neglect,  and  some  reprove  thee, 
I  cannot  hate  thee,  'cause  the  Angels  love  thee." 

Ven.  And  the  repetition  of  these  last  verses  of  music  have 
called  to  my  memory  what  Mr.  Edmund  Waller,  a  lover  of  the 
angle,  says  of  Love  and  Music. 

"  Whilst  I  listen  to  thy  voice, 

Chloris,  I  feel  my  heart  decay  ; 
That  powerful  voice 

Calls  my  fleeting  soul  away  : 
O,  suppress  that  magic  sound, 
Which  destroys  without  a  wound  I 

"  Peace,  Chloris,  peace  ;  or  singing  die, 
That  together  you  and  I 

To  heaven  may  go : 

For  all  we  know 
Of  what  the  blessed  do  above 
I§^  that  they  sing,  and^that  they  love** 


Chap,  XVI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  199 

Pisc.  Well  remembered,  Brother  Peter;  these  verses  came 
seasonably,  and  we  thank  you  heartily.  Come,  we  will  all 
join  together,  my  Host  and  all,  and  sing  my  Scholar's  Catch 
over  again,  and  then  each  man  drink  the  t'other  cup  and  to 
bed,  and  thank  God  we  have  a  dry  house  over  our  heads. 

Pisc.  Well  now,  Good  night  to  everybody. 

Pet.  And  so  say  I. 

Ven.  And  so  say  I. 

Cor.  Good  night  to  you  all ;  and  I  thank  you. 

Pisc.  Good  morrow.  Brother  Peter !  and  the  like  to  you, 
honest  Coridon.  Come,  my  Hostess  says  there  is  seven  shil- 
lings to  pay :  let  's  each  man  drink  a  pot  for  his  morning's 
draught,  and  lay  down  his  two  shillings ;  that  so  my  Hostess 
may  not  have  occasion  to  repent  herself  of  being  so  diligent, 
and  using  us  so  kindly. 

Pet.  The  motion  is  liked  by  everybody,  and  so.  Hostess, 
here  's  your  money :  we  Anglers  are  all  beholden  to  you ;  it 
will  not  be  long  ere  I  '11  see  you  again.  And  now.  Brother 
Piscator,  I  wish  you  and  my  Brother,  your  Scholar,  a  fair  day 
and  good  fortune.     Come,  Coridon,  this  is  our  way. 


THE    FIFTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XVU.—O/  Roach  and  Dace,  and  how  to  fish  for  them  ; 
and  of  Cadis. 

Venator. 

/^^OOD  Master,  as  we  go  now  towards  London,  be  still  so 
^-*  courteous  as  to  give  me  more  instructions,  for  I  have 
several  boxes  in  my  memory,  in  which  I  will  keep  them  all 
very  safe ;  there  shall  not  one  of  them  be  lost. 

Pisc.  Well,  Scholar,  that  I  will :  and  I  will  hide  nothing  from 
you  that  I  can  remember,  and  can  think  may  help  you  forward 
towards  a  perfection  in  this  art.  And  because  we  have  so 
much  time,  and  I  have  said  so  little  of  Roach  and  Dace,  I  will 
give  you  some  directions  concerning  them. 

Some  say  the  Roach  is  so  called  from  rutilus,  which,  they 
say,  signifies  red  fins.  He  is  a  fish  of  no  great  reputation  for 
his  dainty  taste ;  and  his  spawn  is  accounted  much  better  than 
any  other  part  of  him.  And  you  may  take  notice,  that,  as  the 
Carp  is  accounted  the  water-fox  for  his  cunning,  so  the  Roach 
is  accounted  the  water -sheep  for  his  simplicity  or  foolishness.  It 
is  noted  that  the  Roach  and  Dace  recover  strength,  and  grow 
in  season  in  a  fortnight  after  spawning :  the  Barbel  and  Chub 
in  a  month ;  the  Trout  in  four  months  ;  and  the  Salmon  in  the 
like  time,  if  he  gets  into  the  sea,  and  after  into  fresh  water. 

Roaches  be  accounted  much  better  in  the  river  than  in  a 
pond,  though  ponds  usually  breed  the  biggest.  But  there  is  a 
kind  of  bastard  small  Roach  that  breeds  in  ponds,  with  a  very 
forked  tail,  and  of  a  very  small  size,  which  some  say  is  bred  by 
the  Bream  and  right  Roach,  and  some  ponds  are  stored  with 
these  beyond  belief;  and  knowing  men  that  know  their  dif- 


Chap.  XVII.] 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


20 1 


ference  call  them  Ruds  :  they  differ  from  the  true  Roach  as 
much  as  a  Herring  from  a  Pilchard.  And  these  bastard  breed 
of  Roach  are  now  scattered  in  many  rivers,  but  I  think  not  in 
the  Thames,  which  I  believe  affords  the  largest  and  fattest  in 
this  nation,  especially  below  London  Bridge.  The  Roach  is 
a  leather  -  mouthed  fish,  and  has  a  kind  of  saw  -  like  teeth  in 
his  throat.  And  lastly,  let  me  tell  you,  the  Roach  makes  an 
Angler  excellent  sport,  especially  the  great  Roaches  about  Lon- 
don, where  I  think  there  be  the  best  Roach- Anglers ;  and  I 
think  the  best  Trout-Anglers  be  in  Derbyshire,  for  the  waters 
there  are  clear  to  an  extremity. 

Next,  let  me  tell  you,  you  shall  fish  for  this  Roach  in  winter 


with  paste  or  gentles ;  in  April,  with  worms  or  cadis ;  in 
the  very  hot  months,  with  little  white  snails,  or  with  flies 
under  water,  for  he  seldom  takes  them  at  the  top,  though  the 
Dace  will.  In  many  of  the  hot  months.  Roaches  may  also  be 
caught  thus  :  take  a  May-fly  or  Ant-fly,  sink  him  with  a  little 
lead  to  the  bottom  near  to  the  piles  or  posts  of  a  bridge,  or 
near  to  any  posts  of  a  weir,  I  mean  any  deep  place  where 
Roaches  lie  quietly,  and  then  pull  your  fly  up  very  leisurely,  and 
usually  a  Roach  will  follow  your  bait  to  the  very  top  of  the 


202  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  t 

water,  and  gaze  on  it  there,  and  run  at  it  and  take  it  lest  the 
fly  should  fly  away  from  him. 

I  have  seen  this  done  at  Windsor  and  Henley  Bridge,  and 
great  store  of  Roach  taken ;  and  sometimes  a  Dace  or  Chub. 
And  in  August  you  may  fish  for  them  with  a  paste  made  only 
of  the  crumbs  of  bread,  which  should  be  of  pure  fine  man- 
chet ;  and  that  paste  must  be  so  tempered  betwixt  your  hands 
till  it  be  both  soft  and  tough  too :  a  very  little  water,  and  time 
and  labor,  and  clean  hands,  will  make  it  a  most  excellent 
paste.  But  when  you  fish  with  it,  you  must  have  a  small  hook, 
a  quick  eye,  and  a  nimble  hand,  or  the  bait  is  lost  and  the 
fish  too ;  if  one  may  lose  that  which  he  never  had.  With  this 
paste  you  may,  as  I  said,  take  both  the  Roach  and  the  Dace 
or  Dare,  for  they  be  much  of  a  kind,  in  matter  of  feeding, 


cunning,  goodness,  and  usually  in  size.  And  therefore  take 
this  general  direction  for  some  other  baits  which  may  concern 
you  to  take  notice  of.  They  will  bite  almost  at  any  fly,  but 
especially  at  Ant-flies ;  concerning  which  take  this  direction, 
for  it  is  very  good. 

Take  the  blackish  Ant-fly  out  of  the  mole-hill  or  ant-hill,  in 
which  place  you  shall  find  them  in  the  montji  of  June ;  or,  if 
that  be  too  early  in  the  year,  then  doubtless  you  may  find  them 
in  July,  August,  and  most  of  September.  Gather  them  alive, 
with  both  their  wings,  and  then  put  them  into  a  glass  that  will 
hold  a  quart  or  a  pottle :  but  first  put  into  the  glass  a  handful,  or 
more,  of  the  moist  earth  out  of  which  you  gather  them,  and  as 
much  of  the  roots  of  the  grass  of  the  said  hillock ;  and  then  put 
in  the  flies  gently,  that  they  lose  not  their  wings :  lay  a  clod  of 


Chap.  XVII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  203 

earth  over  it,  and  then  so  many  as  are  put  into  the  glass  with- 
out bruising  will  live  there  a  month  or  more,  and  be  always  in 
a  readiness  for  you  to  fish  with :  but  if  you  would  have  them 
keep  longer,  then  get  any  great  earthen  pot,  or  barrel  of  three 
or  four  gallons,  which  is  better,  then  wash  your  barrel  with 
water  and  honey ;  and  having  put  into  it  a  quantity  of  earth 
and  grass-roots,  then  put  in  your  flies,  and  cover  it,  and  they 
will  live  a  quarter  of  a  year.  These,  in  any  stream  and  clear 
water,  are  a  deadly  bait  for  Roach  or  Dace,  or  for  a  Chub ; 
and  your  rule  is,  to  fish  not  less  than  a  handful  from  the  bot- 
tom, 

I  shall  next  tell  you  a  winter- bait  for  a  Roach,  a  Dace,  or 
Chub ;  and  it  is  choicely  good.  About  All-hallontide,  and  so 
till  frost  comes,  when  you  see  men  ploughing  up  heath-ground, 
or  sandy  ground,  or  greenswards,  then  follow  the  plough,  and 
you  shall  find  a  white  worm  as  big  as  two  maggots,  and  it  hath 
a  red  head ;  you  may  observe  in  what  ground  most  are,  for 
there  the  crows  will  be  very  watchful  and  follow  the  plough  very 
close ;  it  is  all  soft,  and  full  of  whitish  guts  :  a  worm  that  is  in 
Norfolk,  and  some  other  counties,  called  a  Grub,  and  is  bred 
of  the  spawn  or  eggs  of  a  beetle,  which  she  leaves  in  holes  that 
she  digs  in  the  ground  under  cow  or  horse  dung,  and  there 
rests  all  winter,  and  in  March  or  April  comes  to  be,  first  a  red, 
and  then  a  black  beetle :  gather  a  thousand  or  two  of  these, 
and  put  them,  with  a  peck  or  two  of  their  own  earth,  into  some 
tub  or  firkin,  and  cover  and  keep  them  so  warm  that  the  frost 
or  cold  air  or  winds  kill  them  not :  these  you  may  keep  all 
winter,  and  kill  fish  with  them  at  any  time ;  and  if  you  put 
some  of  them  into  a  little  earth  and  honey  a  day  before  you 
use  them,  you  will  find  them  an  excellent  bait  for  Bream,  Carp, 
or  indeed  for  almost  any  fish. 

And  after  this  manner  you  may  also  keep  gentles  all  winter, 
which*  are  a  good  bait  then,  and  much  the  better  for  being 
lively  and  tough.  Or  you  may  breed  and  keep  gentles  thus ; 
take  a  piece  of  beast's  liver,  and  with  a  cross-stick  hang  it  in 


204  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  L 

some  corner  over  a  pot  or  barrel,  half  full  of  dry  clay ;  and  as 
the  gentles  grow  big,  they  will  fall  into  the  barrel,  and  scour 
themselves,  and  be  always  ready  for  use  whensoever  you  incline 
to  fish ;  and  these  gentles  may  be  thus  created  till  after  Mich- 
aelmas. But  if  you  desire  to  keep  gentles  to  fish  with  all  the 
year,  then  get  a  dead  cat  or  a  kite,  and  let  it  be  fly-blown  ;  and 
when  the  gentles  begin  to  be  alive  and  to  stir,  then  bury  it 
and  them  in  soft,  moist  earth,  but  as  free  from  frost  as  you 
can,  and  these  you  may  dig  up  at  any  time  when  you  intend 
to  use  them :  these  will  last  till  March,  and  about  that  time 
turn  to  be  flies. 

But  if  you  be  nice  to  foul  your  fingers,  which  good  Anglers 
seldom  are,  then  take  this  bait :  get  a  handful  of  well-made  malt, 
and  put  it  into  a  dish  of  water,  and  then  wash  and  rub  it  be- 
twixt your  hands  till  you  make  it  clean,  and  as  free  from  husks 
as  you  can ;  then  put  that  water  from  it,  and  put  a  small  quan- 
tity of  fresh  water  to  it,  and  set  it  in  something  that  is  fit  for 
that  purpose  over  the  fire,  where  it  is  not  to  boil  apace,  but 
leisurely  and  very  softly,  until  it  become  somewhat  soft,  which 
you  may  try  by  feeling  it  betwixt  your  finger  and  thumb ;  and 
when  it  is  soft,  then  put  your  water  from  it :  and  then  take  a 
sharp  knife,  and,  turning  the  sprout-end  of  the  corn  upward, 
with  the  point  of  your  knife  take  the  back  part  of  the  husk  off 
from  it,  and  yet  leaving  a  kind  of  inward  husk  on  the  corn,  or 
else  it  is  marred ;  and  then  cut  off  that  sprouted  end,  I  mean  a 
little  of  it,  that  the  white  may  appear,  and  so  pull  off  the  husk 
on  the  cloven  side,  as  I  directed  you ;  and  then  cutting  off  a 
very  little  of  the  other  end,  that  so  your  hook  may  enter ;  and, 
if  your  hook  be  small  and  good,  you  will  find  this  to  be  a  very 
choice  bait,  either  for  winter  or  summer,  you  sometimes  casting 
a  /ittle  of  it  into  the  place  where  your  float  swims. 

And  to  take  the  Roach  and  Dace,  a  good  bait  is  the  young 
prood  of  wasps  or  bees,  if  you  dip  their  heads  in  blood ;  espe- 
c*:ally  good  for  Bream,  if  they  be  baked  or  hardened  in  their  husks 
in  an  oven,  a-fter  the  bread  is  taken  out  of  it ;  or  hardened  on  a 


Chap.  XVIt]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  205 

fire-shovel :  and  so  also  is  the  thick  blood  of  sheep,  being  half 
dried  on  a  trencher,  that  so  you  may  cut  it  into  such  pieces  as 
may  best  fit  the  size  of  your  hook ;  and  a  little  salt  keeps  it  from 
growing  black,  and  makes  it  not  the  worse,  but  better :  this  is 
taken  to  be  a  choice  bait  if  rightly  ordered. 

There  be  several  oils  of  a  strong  smell  that  I  have  been  told 
of,  and  to  be  excellent  to  tempt  fish  to  bite,  of  which  I  could 
say  much.  But  I  remember  I  once  carried  a  small  bottle  from 
Sir  George  Hastings  to  Sir  Henry  Wotton,  they  were  both 
chemical  men,  as  a  great  present :  it  was  sent,  and  received,  and 
used,  with  great  confidence ;  and  yet,  upon  inquiry,  I  found  it 
did  not  answer  the  expectation  of  Sir  Henry ;  which,  with  the 
help  of  this  and  other  circumstances,  makes  me  have  little  belief 
in  such  things  as  many  men  talk  of.  Not  but  that  I  think  fishes 
both  smell  and  hear,  as  I  have  expressed  in  my  former  discourse  : 
but  there  is  a  mysterious  knack,  which  though  it  be  much  easier 
than  the  philosopher's  stone,  yet  is  not  attainable  by  common 
capacities,  or  else  lies  locked  up  in  the  brain  or  breast  of  some 
chemical  man,  that,  like  the  Rosicrucians,  will  not  yet  reveal 
it.  But  let  me  nevertheless  tell  you,  that  camphor,  put  with 
moss  into  your  worm-bag  with  your  worms,  makes  them,  if 
many  Anglers  be  not  very  much  mistaken,  a  tempting  bait,  and 
the  Angler  more  fortunate.  But  I  stepped  by  chance  into  this 
discourse  of  oils,  and  fishes  smelling ;  and  though  there  might 
be  more  said,  both  of  it  and  of  baits  for  Roach  and  Dace,  and 
other  float-fish,  yet  I  will  forbear  it  at  this  time,  and  tell  you  in 
the  next  place  how  you  are  to  prepare  your  tackling :  concern- 
ing which,  I  will,  for  sport-sake,  give  you  an  old  rhyme  out  of 
an  old  fish-book,  which  will  prove  a  part,  and  but  a  part,  of 
what  you  are  to  provide. 

*'  My  rod  and  my  line,  my  float  and  my  lead, 

My  hook  and  my  plummet,  my  whetstone  and  knife, 
My  basket,  my  baits  both  living  and  dead, 

My  net  and  my  meat,  for  that  is  the  chief  : 
Then  I  must  have  thread,  and  hairs  green  and  small, 
With  mine  Angling-purse,  and  so  you  have  all." 


206  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  \.Part  I 

But  you  must  have  all  these  tackling,*  and  twice  so  many 
more,  with  which,  if  you  mean  to  be  a  fisher,  you  must  store 
yourself;  and  to  that  purpose  I  will  go  with  you  either  to  Mr. 
Margrave,  who  dwells  amongst  the  booksellers  in  St.  Paul's 
Churchyard,  or  to  Mr.  John  Stubbs,  near  to  the  Swan  in  Gold- 
ing  Lane ;  they  be  both  honest  men,  and  will  fit  an  Angler  with 
what  tackling  he  lacks. 

Ven.  Then,  good  Master,  let  it  be  at ,  for  he  is  nearest 

to  my  dwelling,  and  I  pray  let  's  meet  there  the  9th  of  May 
next  about  two  of  the  clock ;  and  I  '11  want  nothing  that  a  fisher 
should  be  furnished  with. 

Pisc.  Well,  and  I  '11  not  fail  you,  God  willing,  at  the  time 
and  place  appointed. 

Ven.  I  thank  you,  good  Master,  and  I  will  not  fail  you. 
And,  good  Master,  tell  me  what  baits  more  you  remember,  for 
it  will  not  now  be  long  ere  we  shall  be  at  Tottenham  High 
Cross ;  and  when  we  come  thither  I  will  make  you  some  requital 
of  your  pains,  by  repeating  as  choice  a  copy  of  verses  as  any  we 
have  heard  since  we  met  together ;  and  that  is  a  proud  word, 
for  we  have  heard  very  good  ones. 

Pisc.  Well,  Scholar,  and  I  shall  be  then  right  glad  to  hear 
them.  And  I  will,  as  we  walk,  tell  you  whatsoever  comes  in 
my  mind,  that  I  think  may  be  worth  your  hearing.  You  may 
make  another  choice  bait  thus :  Take  a  handful  or  two  of  the 
best  and  biggest  wheat  you  can  get ;  boil  it  in  a  little  milk,  like 
as  frumity  is  boiled  ;  boil  it  so  till  it  be  soft,  and  then  fry  it  very 
leisurely  with  honey  and  a  little  beaten  saffron  dissolved  in 
milk ;  and  you  will  find  this  a  choice  bait,  and  good  I  think  for 
any  fish,  especially  for  Roach,  Dace,  Chub,  or  Grayling :  I  know 
not  but  that  it  may  be  as  good  for  a  River-Carp,  and  especially 
if  the  ground  be  a  little  baited  with  it. 

And  you  may  also  note,  that  the  spawn  of  most  fish  is  a  very 
tempting  bait,  being  a  little  hardened  on  a  warm  tile,  and  cut 

*  I  have  heard  that  the  tackling  hath  been  priced  at  fifty  pounds,  in  the  In* 
ventory  of  an  Angler. 


Chap.  XVII.  J  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLTER.  20/ 

into  fit  pieces.  Nay,  mulberries  and  those  blackberries  which 
grow  upon  briers  be  good  baits  for  Chubs  or  Carps :  with  these 
many  have  been  taken  in  ponds,  and  in  some  rivers  where  such 
trees  have  grown  near  the  water,  and  the  fruit  customarily 
dropped  into  it.  And  there  be  a  hundred  other  baits,  more 
than  can  be  well  named  ;  which,  by  constant  baiting  the  water, 
will  become  a  tempting  bait  for  any  fish  in  it. 

You  are  also  to  know,  that  there  be  divers  kinds  of  Cadis,  or 
Case-worms,  that  are  to  be  found  in  this  nation  in  several  dis- 
tinct counties,  and  in  several  little  brooks  that  relate  to  bigger 
rivers  :  as  namely,  one  Cadis  called  a  Piper,  whose  husk  or  case 
is  a  piece  of  reed  about  an  inch  long,  or  longer,  and  as  big  about 
as  the  compass  of  a  two-pence.  These  worms  being  kept  three 
or  four  days  in  a  woollen  bag  with  sand  at  the  bottom  of  it,  and 
the  bag  wet  once  a  day,  will  in  three  or  four  days  turn  to  be 
yellow ;  and  these  be  a  choice  bait  for  the  Chub  or  Chavender, 
or  indeed  for  any  great  fish,  for  it  is  a  large  bait. 

There  is  also  a  lesser  Cadis-worm,  called  a  Cockspur,  being 
in  fashion  like  the  spur  of  a  cock,  sharp  at  one  end,  and  the 
case  or  house  in  which  this  dwells  is  made  of  small  husks,  and 
gravel,  and  slime,  most  curiously  made  of  these,  even  so  as  to 
be  wondered  at ;  but  not  to  be  made  by  man,  no  more  than  a 
kingfisher's  nest  can,  which  is  made  of  little  fishes'  bones,  and 
have  such  a  geometrical  interweaving  and  connection,  as  the 
like  is  not  to  be  done  by  the  art  of  man.  This  kind  of  Cadis 
is  a  choice  bait  for  any  float-fish;  it  is  much  less  than  the 
Piper-Cadis,  and  to  be  so  ordered ;  and  these  may  be  so  pre- 
served, ten,  fifteen,  or  twenty  days,  or  it  may  be  longer. 

There  is  also  another  Cadis,  called  by  some  a  Straw-worm, 
and  by  some  a  Ruif-coat ;  whose  house  or  case  is  made  of  little 
pieces  of  bents,  and  rushes,  and  straws,  and  water-weeds,  and 
I  know  not  what ;  which  are  so  knit  together  with  condensed 
slime,  that  they  stick  about  her  husk  or  case,  not  unlike  the 
bristles  of  a  hedgehog.  These  three  Cadises  are  commonly 
taken  in  the  beginning  of  summer ;  and  are  good,  indeed,  to 


208  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  (Part  I. 

take  any  kind  of  fish,  with  float  or  otherwise.  I  might  tell  you 
of  many  more,  which  as  these  do  early,  so  those  have  their  time 
also  of  turning  to  be  flies  later  in  summer ;  but  I  might  lose  my- 
self and  tire  you  by  such  a  discourse.  I  shall,  therefore,  but  re- 
member you,  that  to  know  these  and  their  several  kinds,  and  to 
what  flies  every  particular  Cadis  turns,  and  then  how  to  use 
them,  first  as  they  be  Cadis,  and  after  as  they  be  flies,  is  an 
art,  and  an  art  that  every  one  that  professes  to  be  an  Angler  has 
not  leisure  to  search  after ;  and,  if  he  had,  is  not  capable  of 
learning. 

I  '11  tell  you.  Scholar,  several  countries  have  several  kinds  of 
Cadises,  that  indeed  differ  as  much  as  dogs  do  :  that  is  to  say, 
as  much  as  a  very  cur  and  a  greyhound  do.  These  be  usually 
bred  in  the  very  little  rills  or  ditches  that  run  into  bigger 
rivers ;  and,  I  think,  a  more  proper  bait  for  those  very  rivers 
than  any  other.  I  know  not,  or  of  what,  this  Cadis  receives 
life,  or  what  colored  fly  it  turns  to ;  but  doubtless  they  are  the 
death  of  many  Trouts  :  and  this  is  one  killing  way. 

Take  one,  or  more  if  need  be,  of  these  large  yellow  Cadis : 
pull  off"  his  head,  and  with  it  pull  out  his  black  gut ;  put  the 
body,  as  little  bruised  as  is  possible,  on  a  very  little  hook, 
armed  on  with  a  red  hair,  which  will  show  like  the  Cadis-head  ; 
and  a  very  little  thin  lead,  so  put  upon  the  shank  of  the  hook 
that  it  may  sink  presently.  Throw  this  bait,  thus  ordered, 
which  will  look  very  yellow,  into  any  great  still  hole  where  a 
Trout  is,  and  he  will  presently  venture  his  life  for  it,  't  is  not 
to  be  doubted,  if  you  be  not  espied ;  and  that  the  bait  first 
touch  the  water,  before  the  line :  and  this  will  do  best  in  the 
deepest,  stillest  water. 

Next  let  me  tell  you,  I  have  been  much  pleased  to  walk 
quietly  by  a  brook  with  a  little  stick  in  my  hand,  with  which 
I  might  easily  take  these  and  consider  the  curiosity  of  their 
composure :  and  if  you  shall  ever  like  to  do  so,  then  note  that 
your  stick  must  be  a  little  hazel  or  willow,  cleft,  or  have  a  nick 
at  one  end  of  it,  by  which  means  you  may  with  ease  take  many 


Chap.  XVII.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  209 

of  them  in  that  nick  out  of  the  water,  before  you  have  any  oc- 
casion to  use  them.  These,  my  honest  Scholar,  are  some  ob- 
servations told  to  you  as  they  now  come  suddenly  into  my 
memory,  of  which  you  may  make  some  use :  but  for  the  prac- 
tical part,  It  is  that  that  makes  an  Angler :  it  is  diligence,  and 
observation,  and  practice,  and  an  ambition  to  be  the  hear,  ixi 
the  art,  that  must  do  it.  I  will  tell  you.  Scholar,  I  once  heara 
one  say,  **  I  envy  not  him  that  eats  better  meat  than  I  do,  nor 
him  that  is  richer,  or  that  wears  better  clothes  than  I  do :  f 
envy  nobody  but  him,  and  him  only,  that  catches  more  fish 
than  I  do."  And  such  a  man  is  like  to  prove  an  Angler  j 
and  this  noble  emulation  I  wish  to  you  and  all  young  Anglere* 


THE    FIFTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XVUl.—O/fAe  Minnow  or 'Penk,  of //le  LoAcn,  and oj 
the  Bull-Head,  or  Miller's-Thumb. 

PiSCATOR. 

THERE  be  also  three  or  four  other  little  fish  that  I  had 
■  ahiiost  forgot,  that  all  are  without  scales ;  and  may,  for 
excellency  of  meat,  be  compared  to  any  fish  of  greatest  value 
and  largest  size.  They  be  usually  full  of  eggs  or  spawn  all  the 
months  of  summer ;  for  they  breed  often,  as  't  is  observed  mice 
and  many  of  the  smaller  four-footed  creatures  of  the  earth  do ; 
and  as  those,  so  these  come  quickly  to  their  full  growth  and 
perfection.  And  it  is  needful  that  they  breed  both  often  and 
numerously  ;  for  they  be,  besides  other  accidents  of  ruin,  both 
a  prey  and  baits  for  other  fish.  And  first  I  shall  tell  you  of  the 
Minnow  or  Penk. 


Chap.  XVIII.1  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  211 

The  Minnow  hath,  when  he  is  in  perfect  season  and  not 
sick,  which  is  only  presently  after  spawning, — a  kind  of  dap- 
pled or  waved  color,  like  to  a  panther,  on  his  sides,  inclining 
to  a  greenish  and  sky-color,  his  belly  being  milk-white,  and 
his  back  almost  black  or  blackish.  He  is  a  sharp  biter  at  a 
small  worm,  and  in  hot  weather  makes  excellent  sport  for  young 
Anglers,  or  boys,  or  women  that  love  that  recreation.  And 
in  the  spring  they  make  of  them  excellent  Minnow-Tansies ;  for, 
being  washed  well  in  salt,  and  their  heads  and  tails  cut  off, 
and  their  guts  taken  out,  and  not  washed  after, — they  prove 
excellent  for  that  use ;  that  is,  being  fried  with  yolks  of  eggs, 
the  flowers  of  cowslips,  and  of  primroses,  and  a  little  tansy ; 
thus  used  they  make  a  dainty  dish  of  meat. 

The  Loach  is,  as  I  told  you,  a  most  dainty  fish :  he  breeds 
and  feeds  in  little  and  clear  swift  brooks,  or  rills,  and  lives 
there  upon  the  gravel,  and  in  the  sharpest  streams :  he  grows 
not  to  be  above  a  finger  long,  and  no  thicker  than  is  suitable 
to  that  length.  This  Loach  is  not  unlike  the  shape  of  the  Eel : 
he  has  a  beard  or  wattles  like  a  Barbel.  He  has  two  fins  at  his 
sides,  four  at  his  belly,  and  one  at  his  tail ;  he  is  dappled  with 
many  black  or  brown  spots ;  his  mouth  is  Barbel-like  under  his 
nose.  This  fish  is  usually  full  of  eggs  or  spawn,  and  is  by  Ges- 
ner,  and  other  learned  physicians,  commended  for  great  nour- 
ishment, and  to  be  very  grateful  both  to  the  palate  and  stomach 
of  sick  persons.  He  is  to  be  fished  for  with  a  very  small  worm 
at  the  bottom  ;  for  he  very  seldom  or  never  rises  above  the 
gravel,  on  which,  I  told  you,  he  usually  gets  his  living. 

The  Miller's-Thumb  or  Bull-head,  is  a  fish  of  no  pleasing 
shape.  He  is  by  Gesner  compared  to  the  Sea-toad-fish,  for 
his  similitude  and  shape.  It  has  a  head,  big  and  flat,  much 
greater  than  suitable  to  his  body ;  a  mouth  very  wide  and  usu- 
ally gaping.  He  is  without  teeth,  but  his  lips  are  very  rough, 
much  Hke  to  a  file.  He  hath  two  fins  near  to  his  gills,  which 
be  roundish  or  crested  ;  two  fins  also  under  the  belly  ;  two  on 
the  back ;  one  below  the  vent  j  and  the  fin  of  his  tail  is  round. 


212  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

Nature  hath  painted  the  body  of  this  fish  with  whitish,  black' 
ish,  brownish  spots.  They  be  usually  full  of  eggs  or  spawn  all 
the  summer,  I  mean  the  females ;  and  those  eggs  swell  their 
vents  almost  into  the  form  of  a  dug.  They  begin  to  spawn 
about  April,  and,  as  I  told  you,  spawn  several  months  in  the 
summer.  And  in  the  winter  the  Minnow,  and  Loach,  and 
Bull-Head  dwell  in  the  mud,  a^  the  Eel  doth,  or  we  know  not 
where ;  no  more  than  we  know  where  the  cuckoo  and  swallow, 
and  other  half-year  birds,  which  first  appear  to  us  in  April,  spend 
their  six  cold,  winter,  melancholy  months.  This  Bull-Head 
does  usually  dwell  and  hide  himself  in  holes,  or  amongst  stones, 
in  clear  water :  and  in  very  hot  days  will  lie  a  long  time  very 
still,  and  sun  himself,  and  will  be  easy  to  be  seen  upon  any  flat 
stone,  or  any  gravel ;  at  which  time  he  will  suffer  an  Angler  to 
put  a  hook  baited  with  a  small  worm  very  near  unto  his  very 
mouth  :  and  he  never  refuses  to  bite,  nor  indeed  to  be  caught 
with  the  worst  of  Anglers.  Matthiolus  commends  him  much 
more  for  his  taste  and  nourishment  than  for  his  shape  or 
beauty. 

There  is  also  a  little  fish  called  a  Sticklebag  :  a  fish  with- 
out scales,  but  hath  his  body  fenced  with  several  prickles.  I 
know  not  where  he  dwells  in  winter,  nor  what  he  is  good  for 
in  summer,  but  only  to  make  sport  for  boys  and  women^ 
anglers,  and  to  feed  other  fish  that  be  fish  of  prey,  as  Trouts  in 
particular,  who  will  bite  at  him  as  at  a  Penk;  and  better, 
if  your  hook  be  rightly  baited  with  him :  for  he  may  be  so 
baited  as,  his  tail  turning  like  the  sail  of  a  windmill,  will  make 
him  turn  more  quick  than  any  Penk  or  Minnow  can.  For 
note,  that  the  nimble  turning  of  that,  or  the  Minnow,  is  the 
perfection  of  Minnow  fishing.  To  which  end,  if  you  put  your 
hook  into  his  mouth,  and  out  at  his  tail ;  and  then,  having 
first  tied  him  with  white  thread  a  Httle  above  his  tail,  and 
placed  him  after  such  a  manner  on  your  hook  as  he  is  like  to 
turn,  then  sew  up  his  mouth  to  your  line,  and  he  is  like  to  turn 
quick,  and  tempt  any  Trout :  but  if  he  does  not  turn  quick, 


Chap.  XVIII]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  213 

then  turn  his  tail  a  Httle  more  or  less  towards  the  inner  part, 
or  towards  the  side  of  the  hook  ;  or  put  the  Minnow  or  Stickle- 
bag  a  little  more  crooked  or  more  straight  on  your  hook,  until 
it  will  turn  both  true  and  fast :  and  then  doubt  not  but  to 
tempt  any  great  Trout  that  lies  in  a  swift  stream.  And  the 
Loach  that  I  told  you  of  will  do  the  like :  no  bait  is  more 
tempting,  provided  the  Loach  be  not  too  big. 

And  now.  Scholar,  with  the  help  of  this  fine  morning,  and 
your  patient  attention,  I  have  said  all  that  my  present  memory 
will  afford  me  concerning  most  of  the  several  fish  that  are  usu- 
ally fished  for  in  fresh  waters. 

Ven.  But,  Master,  you  have,  by  your  former  civility,  made 
me  hope  that  you  will  make  good  your  promise,  and  say  some- 
thing of  the  several  rivers  that  be  of  most  note  in  this  nation ; 
and  also  of  fish-ponds,  and  the  ordering  of  them  :  and  do  it,  I 
pray,  good  Master,  for  I  love  any  discourse  of  rivers,  and  fish 
and  fishing :  the  time  spent  in  such  discourse  passes  away  very 
pleasantly. 


THE    FIFTH    \dAY. 

Chap.  XIX. — Of  several  Rivers ^  and  some  Observations  of  Fish, 

PiSCATOR. 

\  1  7ELL,  Scholar,  since  the  ways  and  weather  do  both  favor 
'  '  us,  and  that  we  yet  see  not  Tottenham  Cross,  you  shall 
see  my  willingness  to  satisfy  your  desire.  And,  first,  for  the 
rivers  of  this  nation :  there  be,  as  you  may  note  out  of  Doc- 
tor Heylin's  Geography  and  others,  in  number  three  hundred 
and  twenty-five ;  but  those  of  chiefest  note  he  reckons  and  de- 
scribes as  folio weth. 

The  chief  is  Thamisis,  compounded  of  two  rivers,  Thame 
and  Isis ;  whereof  the  former,  rising  somewhat  beyond  Thame 
in  Buckinghamshire,  and  the  latter  near  Cirencester  in  Glou- 
cestershire, meet  together  about  Dorchester  in  Oxfordshire; 
the  issue  of  which  happy  conjunction  is  the  Thamisis,  or 
Thames.  Hence  it  flieth  betwixt  Berks,  Buckinghamshire, 
Middlesex,  Surrey,  Kent,  and  Essex,  and  so  weddeth  himself 
to  the  Kentish  Medway  in  the  very  jaws  of  the  ocean.  This 
glorious  river  feeleth  the  violence  and  benefit  of  the  sea  more 
than  any  river  in  Europe ;  ebbing  and  flowing  twice  a  day 
more  than  sixty  miles :  about  whose  banks  are  so  many  fair 
towns,  and  princely  palaces,  that  a  German  poet  thus  truly 

spake : — 

**  Tot  campos,  etc. 

**  We  saw  so  many  woods  and  princely  bowers, 
Sweet  fields,  brave  palaces,  and  stately  towers, 
So  many  gardens,  dressed  with  curious  care, 
That  Thames  with  royal  Tiber  may  compare." 

2.  The  second  river  of  note  is  Sabrina  or  Severn.  It  hath 
its  beginning  in  Plinlimmon  Hill  in  Montgomeryshire,  and  his 


Chap.  XIX.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  21$ 

end  seven  miles  from  Bristol ;  washing,  in  the  mean  space,  the 
walls  of  Shrewsbury,  Worcester,  and  Gloucester,  and  divers 
other  places  and  palaces  of  note. 

3.  Trent,  so  called  from  thirty  kind  of  fishes  that  are 
found  in  it,  or  for  that  it  receiveth  thirty  lesser  rivers ;  who, 
having  his  fountain  in  Staffordshire,  and  ghding  through  the 
counties  of  Nottingham,  Lincoln,  Leicester,  and  York,  aug- 
menteth  the  turbulent  current  of  Humber,  the  most  violent 
Stream  of  all  the  isle.  This  Humber  is  not,  to  say  truth, 
a  distinct  river,  having  a  spring-head  of  his  own,  but  it  is 
rather  the  mouth,  or  aestuarium,  of  divers  rivers  here  confluent 
and  meeting  together :  namely,  your  Derwent,  and  especially 
of  Ouse  and  Trent ;  and  (as  the  Danow,  having  received  into 
its  channel  the  rivers  Dravus,  Savus,  Tibiscus,  and  divers 
others)  changeth  his  name  into  this  of  Humberabus,  as  the 
old  geographers  call  it. 

4.  Medway,  a  Kentish  river,  famous  for  harboring  the 
royal  navy. 

5.  Tweed,  the  northeast  bound  of  England,  on  whose 
northern  banks  is  seated  the  strong  and  impregnable  town  of 
Berwick. 

6.  TvNE,  famous  for  Newcastle,  and  her  inexhaustible  coal- 
pits. These,  and  the  rest  of  principal  note,  are  thus  compre- 
hended in  one  of  Mr.  Drayton's  Sonnets. 

*'  Our  floods'  queen,  Thames,  for  ships  and  swans  is  crowned  ; 

And  stately  Severn  for  her  shore  is  praised  ; 
The  crystal  Trent  for  fords  and  fish  renowned ; 

And  Avon's  fame  to  Albion's  cliffs  is  raised. 
Carlegion-Chester  vaunts  her  holy  Dee  ; 

York  many  wonders  of  her  Ouse  can  tell  ; 
The  Peak  her  Dove,  whose  banks  so  fertile  be. 

And  Kent  will  say  her  Medway  doth  excel. 
Cotswold  commends  her  Isis  to  the  Thame  ; 

Our  northern  borders  boast  of  Tweed's  fair  flood  5 
Our  western  parts  extol  their  Willy's  fame, 

And  the  old  Lea  brags  of  the  Danish  blood." 


2l6  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

These  observations  are  out  of  learned  Dr.  Heylin,  and  my 
old  deceased  friend,  Michael  Drayton  ;  and  because  you  say 
you  love  such  discourses  as  these  of  rivers  and  fish  and  fishing, 
I  love  you  the  better,  and  love  the  more  to  impart  them  to 
you :  nevertheless,  Scholar,  if  I  should  begin  but  to  name  the 
several  sorts  of  strange  fish  that  are  usually  taken  in  many  of 
those  rivers  that  run  into  the  sea,  I  might  beget  wonder  in  you, 
or  unbelief,  or  both :  and  yet  I  will  venture  to  tell  you  a  real 
truth  concerning  one  lately  dissected  by  Dr  Wharton,  a  man 
of  great  learning  and  experience,  and  of  equal  freedom  to 
communicate  it ;  one  that  loves  me  and  my  art ;  one  to  whom 
I  have  been  beholden  for  many  of  the  choicest  observations 
that  I  have  imparted  to  you.  This  good  man,  that  dares  do 
anything  rather  than  tell  an  untruth,  did,  I  say,  tell  me  he 
lately  dissected  one  strange  fish,  and  he  thus  described  it  to 
me. 

"  The  fish  was  almost  a  yard  broad,  and  twice  that  length  ; 
his  mouth  wide  enough  to  receive  or  take  into  it  the  head  of  a 
man ;  his  stomach  seven  or  eight  inches  broad.  He  is  of  a 
slow  motion,  and  usually  lies  or  lurks  close  in  the  mud,  and 
has  a  movable  stri^ig  on  his  head  about  a  span,  or  near  unto  a 
quarter  of  a  yard  long,  by  the  moving  of  which,  which  is  his 
natural  bait,  when  he  lies  close  and  unseen  in  the  mud,  he 
draws  other  smaller  fish  so  close  to  him  that  he  can  suck  them 
into  his  mouth,  and  so  devours  and  digests  them. ' ' 

And,  Scholar,  do  not  wonder  at  this,  for,  besides  the  credit 
of  the  relator,  you  are  to  note,  many  of  these,  and  fishes 
which  are  of  the  like  and  more  unusual  shapes,  are  very  often 
taken  on  the  mouths  of  our  sea-rivers,  and  on  the  sea-shore. 
And  this  will  be  no  wonder  to  any  that  have  travelled  Egypt ; 
where  't  is  known  the  famous  river  Nilus  does  not  only  breed 
fishes  that  yet  want  names,  but,  by  the  overflowing  of  that 
river,  and  the  help  of  the  sun's  heat  on  the  fat  slime  which 
that  river  leaves  on  the  banks,  when  it  falls  back  into  its  natural 
channel,  such  strange  fish  and  beasts  are  also  bred,  that  no  man 


Chap.  XIX.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  217 

can  give  a  name  to,  as  Grotius,  in  his  ''  Sophom,"  and  others, 
have  observed. 

But  whither  am  I  strayed  in  this  discourse  ?  I  will  end  it 
by  telling  you,  that  at  the  mouth  of  some  of  these  rivers  of 
ours  Herrings  are  so  plentiful,  as  namely,  near  to  Yarmouth  in 
Norfolk,  and  in  the  West-country  Pilchers  so  very  plentiful,  as 
you  will  wonder  to  read  what  our  learned  Camden  relates  of 
them  in  his  '' Britannia,"  pp.  178,  186. 

Well,  Scholar,  I  will  stop  here,  and  tell  you  what  by  read- 
ing and  conference  I  have  observed  concerning  fish-ponds. 


THE    FIFTH    DAY. 

Chap.  XX. — Of  Fish- Ponds ,  and  how  to  order  them* 

PiSCATOR. 

r^OCTOR  Lebault,  the  learned  Frenchman,  in  his  large  dis- 
■■-^  course  of  Maison  Rustique,  gives  this  direction  for  mak- 
ing of  fish-ponds.  I  shall  refer  you  to  him  to  read  it  at  large ; 
but  I  think  I  shall  contract  it,  and  yet  make  it  as  useful. 

He  adviseth,  that  when  you  have  drained  the  ground,  and 
made  the  earth  firm  where  the  head  of  the  pond  must  be,  that 
you  must  then,  in  that  place,  drive  in  two  or  three  rows  of  oak 
or  elm  piles,  which  should  be  scorched  in  the  fire,  or  half 
burnt,  before  they  be  driven  into  the  earth ;  for  being  thus 
used  it  preserves  them  much  longer  from  rotting.  And  hav- 
ing done  so,  lay  fagots  or  bavins  of  smaller  wood  betwixt 
them  ;  and  then  earth  betwixt  and  above  them  :  and  then, 
having  first  very  well  rammed  them  and  the  earth,  use  another 
pile  in  like  manner  as  the  first  were :  and  note,  that  the  second 
pile  is  to  be  of  or  about  the  height  that  you  intend  to  make 
your  sluice  or  flood-gate,  or  the  vent  that  you  intend  shall  con- 
vey the  overflowings  of  your  pond,  in  any  flood  that  shall  en- 
danger the  breaking  of  the  pond-dam. 

Then  he  advises  that  you  plant  willows  or  owlers  about  it,  or 
both:  and  then  cast  in  bavins  in  some  places  not  far  from  the 
side,  and  in  the  most  sandy  places,  for  fish  both  to  spawn  upon, 
and  to  defend  them  and  the  young  fry  from  the  many  fish,  and 
also  from  vermin,  that  lie  at  watch  to  destroy  them ;  especially 
the  spawn  of  the  Carp  and  Tench,  when  't  is  left  to  the  mercy 
of  ducks  or  vermin. 

He,  and  Dubravius,  and  all  others,  advise,  that  you  make 


Chap.  XX.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  219 

choice  of  such  a  place  for  your  pond,  that  it  may  be  refreshed 
with  a  Uttle  rill,  or  with  rain-water  running  or  falling  into  it ; 
by  which  fish  are  more  inclined  both  to  breed,  and  are  also  re- 
freshed and  fed  the  better,  and  do  prove  to  be  of  a  much 
sweeter  and  more  pleasant  taste. 

To  which  end  it  is  observed,  that  such  pools  as  be  large,  and 
have  most  gravel,  and  shallows  where  fish  may  sport  them- 
selves, do  afford  fish  of  the  purest  taste.  And  note,  that  in  all 
pools  it  is  best  for  fish  to  have  some  retiring-place ;  as  namely, 
hollow  banks,  or  shelves,  or  roots  of  trees,  to  keep  them  from 
danger;  and,  when  they  think  fit,  from  the  extreme  heat  of 
summer ;  as  also  from  the  extremity  of  cold  in  winter.  And 
note,  that  if  many  trees  be  growing  about  your  pond,  the 
leaves  thereof  falling  into  the  water  make  it  nauseous  to  the 
fish,  and  the  fish  to  be  so  to  the  eater  of  it. 

'T  is  noted  that  the  Tench  and  Eel  love  mud,  and  the  Carp 
loves  gravelly  ground,  and  in  the  hot  months  to  feed  on  grass. 
You  are  to  cleanse  your  pond,  if  you  intend  either  profit  or 
pleasure,  once  every  three  or  four  years,  especially  some  ponds, 
and  then  let  it  lie  dry  six  or  twelve  months,  both  to  kill  the 
water-weeds,  as  water-lilies,  candocks,  reate,  and  bulrushes, 
that  breed  there :  and  also,  that  as  these  die  for  want  of  water, 
so  grass  may  grow  in  the  pond's  bottom,  which  Carj)s  will  eat 
greedily  in  all  the  hot  months  if  the  pond  be  clean.  The  let- 
ting your  pond  dry  and  sowing  oats  in  the  bottom  is  also  good, 
for  the  fish  feed  the  faster :  and,  being  some  time  let  dry,  you 
may  observe  what  kind  of  fish  either  increases  or  thrives  best 
in  that  water ;  for  they  differ  much  both  in  their  breeding  and 
feeding. 

Lebault  also  advises,  that  if  your  ponds  be  not  very  large 
and  roomy,  that  you  often  feed  your  fish  by  throwing  into 
them  chippings  of  bread,  curds,  grains,  or  the  entrails  of  chick- 
ens, or  of  any  fowl  or  beast  that  you  kill  to  feed  yourselves ; 
for  these  afford  fish  a  great  relief.  He  says  that  frogs  and 
ducks  do  much  harm,  and  devour  both  the  spawn   and  the 


220  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

young  fry  of  all  fish,  especially  of  the  Carp ;  and  I  have,  besides 
experience,  many  testimonies  of  it.  But  Lebault  allows  water- 
frogs  to  be  good  meat,  especially  in  some  months,  if  they  be 
fat ;  but  you  are  to  note,  that  he  is  a  Frenchman,  and  we 
English  will  hardly  believe  him,  though  we  know  frogs  are 
usually  eaten  in  his  country ;  however,  he  advises  to  destroy 
them  and  kingfishers  out  of  your  ponds.  And  he  advises  not 
to  suffer  much  shooting  at  wild-fowl ;  for  that,  he  says,  af- 
frightens,  and  harms,  and  destroys,  the  fish. 

Note,  that  Carps  and  Tench  thrive  and  breed  best  when  no 
other  fish  is  put  with  them  into  the  same  pond ;  for  all  other 
fish  devour  their  spawn,  or  at  least  the  greatest  part  of  it.  And 
note,  that  clods  of  grass  thrown  into  any  pond  feed  any  Carps 
in  summer  j  and  that  garden-earth  and  parsley  thrown  into  a 
pond  recovers  and  refreshes  the  sick  fish.  And  note,  that  when 
you  store  your  pond,  you  are  to  put  into  it  two  or  three  melt- 
ers  for  one  spawner,  if  you  put  them  into  a  breeding-pond ; 
but  if  into  a  nurse-pond,  or  feeding-pond,  in  which  they  will 
not  breed,  then  no  care  is  to  be  taken  whether  there  be  most 
male  or  female  Carps. 

It  is  observed  that  the  best  ponds  to  breed  Carps  are  those 
that  be  stony  or  sandy,  and  are  warm  and  free  from  wind ;  and 
that  are  not  deep,  but  have  willow-trees,  and  grass  on  their 
sides,  over  which  the  water  does  sometimes  flow :  and  note, 
that  Carps  do  more  usually  breed  in  marle-pits,  or  pits  that 
have  clean  clay-bottoms,  or  in  new  ponds,  or  ponds  that  lie 
dry  a  winter-season,  than  in  old  ponds  that  be  full  of  mud  and 
weeds. 

Well,  Scholar,  I  have  told  you  the  substance  of  all  that 
either  observation  or  discourse,  or  a  diligent  survey  of  Dubra- 
vius  and  Lebault  hath  told  me :  not  that  they,  in  their  long 
discourses,  have  not  said  more ;  but  the  most  of  the  rest  are 
so  common  observations,  as  if  a  man  should  tell  a  good  arith- 
metician that  twice  two  is  four.  I  will  therefore  put  an  end 
to  this  discourse,  and  we  will  here  sit  down  and  rest  us. 


THE    FIFTH    DAY. 

CltAP.  XXI. — Directions  for  making  of  a  Line^  and  for  the  color 
ing  of  both  Rod  and  Line, 

PiSCATOR. 

WELL,  Scholar,  I  have  held  you  too  long  about  these 
cadis,  and  smaller  fish,  and  rivers,  and  fish-ponds ;  and 
my  spirits  are  almost  spent,  and  so  I  doubt  is  your  pa- 
tience ;  but  being  we  are  now  almost  at  Tottenham,  where  I 
first  met  you,  and  where  we  are  to  part,  I  will  lose  no  time, 
but  give  you  a  httle  direction  how  to  make  and  order  your 
lines,  and  to  color  the  hair  of  which  you  make  your  lines,  for 
that  is  very  needful  to  be  known  of  an  Angler ;  and  also  how 
to  paint  your  rod,  especially  your  top ;  for  a  right-grown  top 
is  a  choice  commodity,  and  should  be  preserved  from  the 
water  soaking  into  it,  which  makes  it  in  wet  weather  to  be 
heavy,  and  fish  ill-favoredly,  and  not  true;  and  also  it  rots 
quickly  for  want  of  painting :  and  I  think  a  good  top  is  worth 
preserving,  or  I  had  not  taken  care  to  keep  a  top  above  twenty 
years. 

But  first  for  your  line.  First,  note,  that  you  are  to  take  care 
that  your  hair  be  round  and  clear,  and  free  from  galls,  or  scabs, 
or  frets ;  for  a  well-chosen,  even,  clear,  round  hair,  of  a  kind 
of  glass-color,  will  prove  as  strong  as  three  uneven,  scabby 
hairs,  that  are  ill-chosen,  and  full  of  galls  or  unevenness.  You 
shall  seldom  find  a  black  hair  but  it  is  round,  but  many  white 
are  flat  and  uneven ;  therefore  if  you  get  a  lock  of  right,  round, 
clear,  glass-color  hair,  make  much  of  it. 

And  for  making  your  line,  observe  this  rule :  first  let  your 
hair  be  clean  washed  ere  you  go  about  to  twist  it ;  and  then 


222  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  r. 

choose  not  only  the  clearest  hair  for  it,  but  hairs  that  be  of  an 
equal  bigness,  for  such  do  usually  stretch  all  together,  and 
break  all  together,  which  hairs  of  an  unequal  bigness  never  do, 
but  break  singly,  and  so  deceive  the  Angler  that  trusts  to 
them. 

When  you  have  twisted  your  links,  lay  them  in  water  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  at  least,  and  then  twist  them  over  again  be- 
fore you  tie.  them  into  a  hne ;  for  those  that  do  not  so,  shall 
usually  find  their  line  to  have  a  hair  or  two  shrink,  and  be 
shorter  than  the  rest  at  the  first  fishing  with  it ;  which  is  so 
much  of  the  strength  of  the  line  lost  for  want  of  first  watering 
it  and  then  re-twisting  it ;  and  this  is  most  visible  m  a  seven- 
hair  hne,  one  of  those  which  hath  always  a  black  hair  in  the 
middle. 

And  for  dyeing  of  your  hairs,  do  it  thus.  Take  a  pint  of 
strong  ale,  half  a  pound  of  soot,  and  a  little  quantity  of  the 
juice  of  walnut-tree  leaves,  and  an  equal  quantity  of  alum  ;  put 
these  together  into  a  pot,  pan,  or  pipkin,  and  boil  them  half 
an  hour ;  and  having  so  done,  let  it  cool ;  and  being  cold,  put 
your  hair  into  it,  and  there  let  it  lie :  it  will  turn  your  hair  to 
be  a  kind  of  water  or  glass-color,  or  greenish ;  and  the  longer 
you  let  it  lie,  the  deeper  colored  it  will  be.  You  might  be 
taught  to  make  many  other  colors,  but  it  is  to  little  purpose ; 
for  doubtless  the  water-color  or  glass-colored  hair  is  the  most 
choice  and  most  useful  for  an  Angler ;  but  let  it  not  be  too 
green. 

But  if  you  desire  to  color  hair  greener,  then  do  it  thus. 
Take  a  quart  of  small  ale,  half  a  pound  of  alum  ;  then  put 
these  into  a  pan  or  pipkin,  and  your  hair  into  it  with  them ;  then 
put  it  upon  a  fire,  and  let  it  boil  softly  for  half  an  hour ;  and 
then  take  out  your  hair,  and  let  it  dry ;  and,  having  so  done, 
then  take  a  pottle  of  water,  and  put  into  it  two  handfuls  of 
marigolds,  and  cover  it  with  a  tile,  or  what  you  think  fit,  and 
set  it  again  on  the  fire,  where  it  is  to  boil  again  softly  for  half 
an  hour,  about  which  time  the  scum  will  turn  yellow ;  thoQ 


Chap.  XXLJ  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  223 

put  into  it  half  a  pound  of  copperas,  beaten  small,  and  with 
it  the  hair  that  you  intend  to  color ;  then  let  the  hair  be  boiled 
softly  till  half  the  Hquor  be  wasted ;  and  then  let  it  cool  three 
or  four  hours,  with  your  hair  in  it :  and  you  are  to  observe, 
that  the  more  copperas  you  put  into  it,  the  greener  it  will  be ; 
but  doubtless  the  pale  green  is  best.  But  if  you  desire  yellow 
hair,  which  is  only  good  when  the  weeds  rot,  then  put  in  the 
more  marigolds ;  and  abate  most  of  the  copperas,  or  leave  it 
quite  out,  and  take  a  little  verdigris  instead  of  it.  This  for 
coloring  your  hair. 

And  as  for  painting  your  rod,  which  must  be  in  oil,  you 
must  first  make  a  size  with  glue  and  water  boiled  together  until 
the  glue  be  dissolved,  and  the  size  of  a  lye-color ;  then  strike 
your  size  upon  the  wood  with  a  bristle,  or  a  brush,  or  pencil, 
whilst  it  is  hot.  That  being  quite  dry,  take  white  lead,  and  a 
little  red  lead,  and  a  little  coal-black,  so  much  as  all  together 
will  make  an  ash-color ;  grind  these  all  together  with  linseed- 
oil  ;  let  it  be  thick,  and  lay  it  thin  upon  the  wood  with  a 
brush  or  pencil :  this  do  for  the  ground  of  any  color  to  lie  upon 
wood. 

For  a  green  :  Take  pink  and  verdigris,  and  grind  them  to- 
gether in  linseed-oil,  as  thin  as  you  can  well  grind  it ;  then 
lay  it  smoothly  on  with  your  brush,  and  drive  it  thin  :  once 
doing,  for  the  most  part,  will  serve,  if  you  lay  it  well ;  and  if 
twice,  be  sure  your  first  color  be  thoroughly  dry  before  you 
lay  on  a  second. 

Well,  Scholar,  having  now  taught  you  to  paint  your  rod, 
and  we  having  still  a  mile  to  Tottenham  High-Cross,  I  will,  as 
we  walk  towards  it,  in  the  cool  shade  of  this  sweet  honeysuckle 
hedge,  mention  to  you  some  of  the  thoughts  and  joys  that  have 
possessed  my  soul  since  we  two  met  together.  And  these 
thoughts  shall  be  told  you,  that  you  also  may  join  with  me  in 
thankfulness,  to  "  the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift," 
for  our  happiness.  And,  that  our  present  happiness  may 
appear  to  be  the  greater,  and  we  the  more  thankful  for  it,  I 


224  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

will  beg  you  to  consider  with  me,  how  many  do,  even  at  this 
very  time,  lie  under  the  torment  of  the  stone,  the  gout,  and 
toothache;  and  this  we  are  free  from.  And  every  misery 
that  I  miss  is  a  new  mercy ;  and  therefore  let  us  be  thankful. 
There  have  been,  since  we  met,  others  that  have  met  disasters 
of  broken  limbs ;  some  have  been  blasted,  others  thunder- 
strucken ;  and  we  have  been  freed  from  these,  and  all  those 
many  other  miseries  that  threaten  human  nature  :  let  us  there- 
fore rejoice  and  be  thankful.  Nay,  which  is  a  far  greater 
mercy,  we  are  free  from  the  unsupportable  burden  of  an  accus- 
ing, tormenting  conscience, — a  misery  that  none  can  bear  : 
and  therefore  let  us  praise  Him  for  His  preventing  grace,  and 
say,  Every  misery  that  I  miss  is  a  new  mercy.  Nay,  let  me 
tell  you,  there  be  many  that  have  forty  times  our  estates,  that 
would  give  the  greatest  part  of  it  to  be  healthful  and  cheerful 
like  us ;  who,  with  the  expense  of  a  little  money  have  eat  and 
drank,  and  laughed,  and  angled,  and  sung,  and  slept  securely ; 
and  rose  next  day,  and  cast  away  care,  and  sung,  and  laughed, 
and  angled  again  ;  which  are  blessings  rich  men  cannot  pur- 
chase with  all  their  money.  Let  me  tell  you,  Scholar,  I  have 
a  rich  neighbor,  that  is  always  so  busy  that  he  has  no  leisure  to 
laugh  :  the  whole  business  of  his  life  is  to  get  money,  and  more 
money,  that  he  may  still  get  more  and  more  money  ;  he  is  still 
drudging  on,  and  says,  that  Solomon  says,  "  The  diligent  hand 
maketh  rich  ";  and  is  it  true  indeed  :  but  he  considers  not  that 
*t  is  not  in  the  power  of  riches  to  make  a  man  happy ;  for  it 
was  wisely  said,  by  a  man  of  great  observation,  **That  there 
be  as  many  miseries  beyond  riches,  as  on  this  side  them." 
And  yet  God  deliver  us  from  pinching  poverty ;  and  grant 
that,  having  a  competency,  we  may  be  content  and  thankful.. 
Let  not  us  repine,  or  so  much  as  think  the  gifts  of  God  un- 
equally dealt,  if  we  see  another  abound  with  riches ;  when,  as 
God  knows,  the  cares  that  are  the  keys  that  keep  those  riches, 
hang  often  so  heavily  at  the  rich  man's  girdle,  that  they  clog 
him  with  weary  days,  and  restless  nights,  even  when  others 


Chap.  XXI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  22$ 

sleep  quietly.  We  see  but  the  outside  of  the  rich  man's  happi- 
ness :  few  consider  him  to  be  like  the  silkworm,  that,  when 
she  seems  to  play,  is,  at  the  very  same  time,  spinning  her  own 
bowels,  and  consuming  herself.  And  this  many  rich  men  do ; 
loading  themselves  with  corroding  cares,  to  keep  what  they 
have,  probably,  unconscionably  got.  Let  us,  therefore,  be  thank- 
ful for  health  and  a  competence,  and  above  all,  for  a  quiet  con- 
science. 

Let  me  tell  you.  Scholar,  that  Diogenes  walked  on  a  day, 
with  his  friend,  to  see  a  country-fair ;  where  he  saw  ribbons, 
and  looking-glasses,  and  nut-crackers,  and  fiddles,  and  hobby- 
horses, and  many  other  gimcracks;  and  having  observed 
them,  and  all  the  other  finnimbruns  that  make  a  complete 
country-fair,  he  said  to  his  friend,  ''Lord!  How  many 
things  are  there  in  this  world,  of  which  Diogenes  hath  no 
need  !  "  And  truly  it  i*?  so,  or  might  be  so,  with  very  many 
who  vex  and  toil  themselves  to  get  what  they  have  no  need  of. 
Can  any  man  charge  God,  that  he  hath  not  given  him  enough 
to  make  his  life  happy  ?  No,  doubtless  ;  for  nature  is  content 
with  a  little.  And  yet  you  shall  hardly  meet  with  a  man  that 
complains  not  of  some  want ;  though  he,  indeed,  wants  nothing 
but  his  will,  it  may  be,  nothing  but  his  will  of  his  poor  neigh- 
bor, for  not  worshipping,  or  not  flattering  him  :  and  thus,  when 
we  might  be  happy  and  quiet,  we  create  trouble  to  ourselves. 
I  have  heard  of  a  man  that  was  angry  with  himself  because 
he  was  no  taller ;  and  of  a  woman  that  broke  her  looking-glass 
because  it  would  not  show  her  face  to  be  as  young  and  hand- 
some as  her  next  neighbor's  was.  And  I  knew  another,  to 
whom  God  had  given  health,  and  plenty;  but  a  wife,  that 
nature  had  made  peevish,  and  her  husband's  riches  had  made 
purse-proud,  and  must,  because  she  was  rich,  and  for  no  other 
virtue,  sit  in  the  highest  pew  in  the  church ;  which  being  de- 
nied her,  she  engaged  her  husband  into  a  contention  for  it ; 
and,  at  last,  into  a  lawsuit  with  a  dogged  neighbor,  who  was 
as  rich  as  he,  and  had  a  wife  as  peevish  and  purse-proud  as  the 


226  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I 

Other :  and  this  lawsuit  begot  higher  oppositions,  and  action- 
able words,  and  more  vexations  and  lawsuits ;  for  you  must  re- 
member, that  both  were  rich,  and  must  therefore  have  their 
wills.  Well,  this  wilful,  purse-proud  lawsuit  lasted  during  the 
life  of  the  first  husband ;  after  which  his  wife  vexed  and  chid, 
and  chid  and  vexed,  till  she  also  chid  and  vexed  herself  into 
her  grave  :  and  so  the  wealth  of  these  poor  rich  people  was  curst 
into  a  punishment :  because  they  wanted  meek  and  thankful 
hearts ;  for  those  only  can  make  us  happy.  I  knew  a  man  that 
had  health  and  riches,  and  several  houses,  all  beautiful  and 
ready  furnished,  and  would  often  trouble  himself  and  family  to 
be  removing  from  one  house  to  another ;  and  being  asked  by 
a  friend,  why  he  removed  so  often  from  one  house  to  another, 
replied,  "  It  was  to  find  content  in  some  one  of  them."  But 
his  friend,  knowing  his  temper,  told  him,  *'If  he  would  find 
content  in  any  of  his  houses,  he  must  leave  himself  behind 
him;  for  content  will  never  dwell  but  in  a  meek  and  quiet 
soul."  And  this  may  appear,  if  we  read  and  consider  what 
our  Saviour  says  in  St.  Matthew's  Gospel :  for  he  there  says, 
'*  Blessed  be  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.  Blessed 
be  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God.  Blessed  be  the 
poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And, 
Blessed  be  the  meek,  for  they  shall  possess  the  earth."  Not 
that  the  meek  shall  not  also  obtain  mercy,  and  see  God,  and  be 
comforted,  and  at  last  come  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  but  in 
the  mean  time  he,  and  he  only,  possesses  the  earth  as  he  goes 
toward  that  kingdom  of  heaven,  by  being  humble  and  cheerful, 
and  content  with  what  his  good  God  has  allotted  him.  He 
has  no  turbulent,  repining,  vexatious  thoughts,  that  he  deserves 
better ;  nor  is  vexed  when  he  sees  others  possessed  of  more 
honor,  or  more  riches  than  his  wise  God  has  allotted  for  his 
share  ;  but  he  possesses  what  he  has  with  a  meek  and  contented 
quietness ;  such  a  quietness  as  makes  his  very  dreams  pleasing 
both  to  God  and  himself. 

My  honest  Scholar,  all  this  is  told  to  incline  you  to  thank- 


Cmap.  XXI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  227 

fulness;  and  to  incline  you  the  more,  let  me  tell  you,  that 
though  the  prophet  David  was  guilty  of  murder  and  adultery, 
and  many  other  of  the  most  deadly  sins,  yet  he  was  said  to  be 
a  man  after  God's  own  heart,  because  he  abounded  more  with 
thankfulness  than  any  other  that  is  mentioned  in  Holy  Script- 
ure, as  may  appear  in  his  book  of  Psalms  ;  where  there  is  such 
a  commixture  of  his  confessing  of  his  sins  and  unworthiness, 
and  such  thankfulness  for  God's  pardon  and  mercies,  as  did 
make  him  to  be  accounted,  even  by  God  himself,  to  be  a  man 
after  his  own  heart :  and  let  us  in  that,  labor  to  be  as  like  him 
as  we  can ;  let  not  the  blessings  we  receive  daily  from  God 
make  us  not  to  value,  or  not  praise  Him,  because  they  be  com- 
mon :  let  not  us  forget  to  praise  Him  for  the  innocent  mirth 
and  pleasure  we  have  met  with  since  we  met  together.  What 
would  a  blind  man  give  to  see  the  pleasant  rivers,  and  mead- 
ows, and  flowers,  and  fountains,  that  we  have  met  with  since 
we  met  together?  I  have  been  told,  that  if  a  man  that  was 
born  blind  could  obtain  to  have  his  sight  for  but  only  one  hour 
during  his  whole  life,  and  should,  at  the  first  opening  of  his 
eyes,  fix  his  sight  upon  the  sun  when  it  was  in  his  full  glory, 
either  at  the  rising  or  setting  of  it,  he  would  be  so  transported 
and  amazed,  and  so  admire  the  glory  of  it,  that  he  would  not 
willingly  turn  his  eyes  from  that  first  ravishing  object,  to  be- 
hold all  the  other  various  beauties  this  world  could  present  to 
him.  And  this,  and  many  other  Hke  blessings,  we  enjoy  daily. 
And  for  most  of  them,  because  they  be  so  common,  most  men 
forget  to  pay  their  praises  ;  but  let  not  us ;  because  it  is  a  sac- 
rifice so  pleasing  to  Him  that  made  that  sun,  and  us,  and  still 
protects  us,  and  gives  us  flowers,  and  showers,  and  stomachs, 
and  meat,  and  content,  and  leisure  to  go  a-fishing. 

Well,  Scholar,  I  have  almost  tired  myself,  and,  I  fear, 
more  than  almost  tired  you.  But  I  now  see  Tottenham  High- 
Cross  ;  and  our  short  walk  thither  shall  put  a  period  to  my 
too  long  discpurse ;  in  which  my  meaning  was,  and  is,  to 
: plant  that  in  your  mind,  with  which  I  labor  to  possess  my 


228  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  '  [Part  1 

own  soul,  that  is,  a  meek  and  thankful  heart.  And  to  that 
end  I  have  showed  you,  that  riches  without  them  do  not  make 
any  man  happy.  But  let  me  tell  you,  that  riches  with  them 
remove  many  fears  and  cares;  and  therefore  my  advice  is, 
that  you  endeavor  to  be  honestly  rich,  or  contentedly  poor ; 
but  be  sure  that  your  riches  be  justly  got,  or  you  spoil  all. 
For  it  is  *vell  said  by  Caussin,  ''  He  that  loses  his  conscience 
has  nothing  left  that  is  worth  keeping."  Therefore  be  sure 
you  look  to  that.  And,  in  the  next  place,  look  to  your  health  : 
and  if  you  have  it,  praise  God,  and  value  it  next  to  a  good 
conscience ;  for  health  is  the  second  blessing  that  we  mortals 
are  capable  of ;  a  blessing  that  money  cannot  buy ;  and  there- 
fore value  it,  and  be  thankful  for  it.  As  for  money,  which 
may  be  said  to  be  the  third  blessing,  neglect  it  not :  but  note, 
that  there  is  no  necessity  of  being  rich ;  for,  I  told  you,  there 
be  as  many  miseries  beyond  riches  as  on  this  side  them  :  and, 
if  you  have  a  competence,  enjoy  it  with  a  meek,  cheerful, 
thankful  heart.  I  will  tell  you.  Scholar,  I  have  heard  a  grave 
divine  say,  that  God  has  two  dwellings ;  one  in  heaven,  and 
the  other  in  a  meek  and  thankful  heart :  which  Almighty  God 
grant  to  me,  and  to  my  honest  Scholar !  And  so  you  are  wel- 
come to  Tottenham  High-Cross. 

Ven.  Well,  Master,  I  thank  you  for  all  your  good  directions ; 
but  for  none  more  than  this  last  of  thankfulness,  which  I  hope  I 
shall  never  forget.  And  pray  now  let  's  rest  ourselves  in  this 
sweet  shady  arbor,  which  Nature  herself  has  woven  with  her 
own  fine  fingers;  't  is  such  a  contexture  of  woodbines,  sweet- 
brier,  jessamine,  and  myrtle,  and  so  interwoven  as  will  secure  us 
both  from  the  sun's  violent  heat,  and  from  the  approaching 
shower.  And,  being  sat  down,  I  will  requite  a  pait  of  your 
courtesies  with  a  bottle  of  sack,  milk,  oranges,  and  sugar^  which, 
all  put  together,  make  a  drink  like  nectar;  indeed,  too  good  for 
anybody  but  us  Anglers.  And  so,  Master,  here  is  a  full  glass  to 
you  of  that  liquor ;  and  when  you  have  pledged  me,  I  will 
repeat  the  verses  which  I  promised  you.     It  is  a  copy  printed 


Chap.  XXI.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  229 

amongst  some  of  Sir  Henry  Wotton's,  and  doubtless  made 
either  by  him  or  by  a  lover  of  Angling.  Come,  Master,  now 
drink  a  glass  to  me,  and  then  I  will  pledge  you,  and  fall  to  my 
repetition ;  it  is  a  description  of  such  country  recreations  as  I 
have  enjoyed  since  I  had  the  happiness  to  fall  into  your  com- 
pa^ay. 

**  Quivering  fears,  heart-tearing  cares, 
Anxious  sighs,  untimely  tears, 

Fly,  fly  to  courts, 

Fly  to  fond  worldlings'  sports, 
Where  strained  sardonic  smiles  are  glozing  still. 
And  Grief  is  forced  to  laugh  against  her  will  : 

Where  mirth  's  but  mummery. 

And  sorrows  only  real  be. 

**  Fly,  from  our  country  pastimes,  fly, 
Sad  troops  of  human  misery. 

Come,  serene  looks, 

Clear  as  the  crystal  brooks. 
Or  the  pure  azured  heaven,  that  smiles  to  see 
The  rich  attendance  of  our  poverty  : 

Peace  and  a  secure  mind, 

Which  all  men  seek,  we  only  find. 

"Abused  mortals,  did  you  know 

Where  joy,  heart' s-ease,  and  comforts  grow. 

You  'd  scorn  proud  towers, 

And  seek  them  in  these  bowers  ; 
Where  winds,  sometimes,  our  woods  perhaps  may  shalcc^ 
But  blust'ring  care  could  never  tempest  make  j 

Nor  murmurs  e'er  come  nigh  us. 

Saving  of  fountains  that  glide  by  us. 

**  Here  's  no  fantastic  masque,  nor  dance. 
But  of  our  kids  that  frisk  and  prance  ; 

Nor  wars  are  seen. 

Unless  upon  the  green 
Two  harmless  lambs  are  butting  one  the  other, 
Which  done,  both  bleating  run  each  to  his  mother  t 

And  wounds  are  never  found, 

Save  what  the  ploughshare  gives  the  ground, 


230  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  I. 

**  Here  are  no  entrapping  baits 
To  hasten  too,  too  hasty  fates, 

Unless  it  be 

The  fond  credulity 
Of  silly  fish,  which,  worldling  like,  still  look 
Upon  the  bait,  but  never  on  the  hook  : 

Nor  envy,  'less  among 

The  birds,  for  prize  of  their  sweet  song, 

••Goy  let  the  diving  negro  seek 
For  gems  hid  in  some  forlorn  creek  : 

We  all  pearls  scorn, 

Save  what  the  dewy  mom 
Congeals  upon  each  little  spire  of  grass, 
Which  careless  shepherds  beat  down  as  they  pass  : 

And  gold  ne'er  here  appears, 

Save  what  the  yellow  Ceres  bears. 

•*  Blest  silent  groves  !     O  may  you  be 
Forever  mirth's  best  nursery ! 

May  pure  contents 

Forever  pitch  their  teiits 
Upon  these  downs,  these  meads,  these  rocks,  these  mountains, 
And  peace  still  slumber  by  these  purling  fountains  : 

Which  we  may  every  year 

Meet  when  we  come  a-fishing  here." 

Pisc.  Trust  me,  Scholar,  I  thank  you  heartily  for  these  verses  : 
they  be  choicely  good,  and  doubtless  made  by  a  lover  of  An- 
gling. Come,  now,  drink  a  glass  to  me,  and  I  will  requite  you 
with  another  very  good  copy :  it  is  a  Farewell  to  the  Vanities 
of  the  World,  and  some  say,  written  by  Sir  Harry  Wotton,  who 
I  told  you  was  an  excellent  Angler.  But  let  them  be  writ  by 
whom  they  will,  he  that  writ  them  had  a  brave  soul,  and  must 
needs  be  possessed  with  happy  thoughts  at  the  time  of  their 
composure. 

•'  Farewell,  ye  gilded  follies,  pleasing  troubles ! 
Farewell,  ye  honored  rags,  ye  glorious  bubbles ! 
Fame 's  but  a  hollow  echo  ;  Gold,  pure  clay  ; 
Honor,  the  darling  byt  of  one  short  day  j 


Chap.  XXI.)  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  23I 

Beauty,  th'  eye's  idol,  but  a  damasked  skin  ; 
State,  hut  a  golden  prison,  to  live  in 
And  torture  free-born  minds  ;  embroidered  trains^ 
Merely  but  pageants  for  proud  swelling  veins  ; 
And  blood  allied  to  greatness  is  alone 
Inherited,  not  purchased,  nor  our  own. 

Fame,  Honor,  Beauty,  State,  Train,  Blood,  and  Birth 

Are  but  the  fading  blossoms  of  the  earth. 

••I  would  be  great, — but  that  the  sun  doth  still 

Level  his  rays  against  the  rising  hill : 

I  would  be  high, — but  see  the  proudest  oak 

Most  subject  to  the  rending  thunder-stroke  : 

I  would  be  rich,-7but  see  men,  too  unkind. 

Dig  in  the  bowels  of  the  richest  mind  : 

I  would  be  wise, — but  that  I  often  see 

The  fox  suspected,  whilst  the  ass  goes  free  : 

I  would  be  fair, — but  see  the  fair  and  proud. 

Like  the  bright  sun,  oft  setting  in  a  cloud  : 

I  would  be  poor, — but  know  the  humble  grass 

Still  trampled  on  by  each  unworthy  ass  : 

Rich,  hated  ;  Wise,  suspected  ;  Scorned  if  poor ; 

Great,  feared  ;  Fair,  tempted  ;  High,  still  envied  more  t 
I  have  wished  all ;  but  now  I  wish  for  neither  j 
Great,  High,  Rich,  Wise,  nor  Fair  ;  Poor  I  '11  be  rathet; 

**  Would  the  World  now  adopt  me  for  her  heir, 
Would  Beauty's  queen  entitle  me  the  fair, — 
Fame  speak  me  Fortune's  minion  ; — could  I  vie 
Angels  with  India  ;  with  a  speaking  eye 
Command  bare  heads,  bowed  knees,  strike  justice  dumb 
As  well  as  blind  and  lame  ;  or  give  a  tongue 
To  stones  by  epitaphs  ;  be  called  great  master 
In  the  loose  rhymes  of  every  poetaster  ; —         ' 
Could  I  be  more  than  any  man  that  lives, 
Great,  fair,  rich,  wise,  all  in  superlatives : 
Yet  I  more  freely  would  these  gifts  resign, 
Than  ever  Fortune  would  have  made  them  mine| 

And  hold  one  minute  of  this  holy  leisure 

Beyond  the  riches  of  this  empty  pleasure. 

"Welcome,  pure  thoughts  !     Welcome,  ye  silent  groves  I 
These  guests,  these  courts,  my  soul  most  dearly  loveat 


232  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.        (k'ARt  t 

Now  the  winged  people  of  the  sky  shall  sing 
My  cheerful  anthems  to  the  gladsome  spring : 
A  prayer-book  now  shall  be  my  looking-glass, 
In  which  I  will  adore  sweet  Virtue's  face. 
Here  dwell  no  hateful  looks,  no  palace-cares, 
No  broken  vows  dwell  here,  nor  pale-faced  fears  s 
Then  here  I  '11  sit,  and  sigh  my  hot  love's  folly. 
And  learn  t'  affect  an  holy  melancholy : 

And  if  Contentment  be  a  stranger,  then 

I  'il  ne'er  look  for  it,  but  in  heaven  again.** 

Ven.  Well,  Master,  these  verses  be  worthy  to  keep  a  room 
in  every  man's  memory.  I  thank  you  for  them ;  and  I  thank 
you  for  your  many  instructions,  which,  God  willing,  I  will  not 
forget.  And  as  St.  Austin,  in  his  Confessions,  Book  IV.  Chap. 
3,  commemorates  the  kindness  of  his  friend  Verecundus,  for 
lending  him  and  his  companion  a  country-house,  because  there 
they  rested  and  enjoyed  themselves  free  from  the  troubles  of  the 
world ;  so,  having  had  the  like  advantage,  both  by  your  con- 
versation and  the  Art  you  have  taught  me,  I  ought  ever  to  do 
the  like  :  for  indeed,  your  company  and  discourse  have  been  so 
useful  and  pleasant,  that  I  may  truly  say,  I  have  only  lived  since 
I  enjoyed  them  and  turned  Angler,  and  not  before.  Neverthe- 
less, here  I  must  part  with  you,  here  in  this  now  sad  place, 
where  I  was  so  happy  as  first  to  meet  you :  but  I  shall  long  for 
the  9th  of  May,  for  then  I  hope  again  to  enjoy  your  beloved 
company  at  the  appointed  time  and  place.  And  now  I  wish 
for  some  somniferous  potion,  that  might  force  me  to  sleep  away 
the  intermitted  time,  which  will  pass  away  with  me  as  tediously 
as  it  does  with  men  in  sorrow;  nevertheless  I  will  make  it  as 
short  as  I  can,  by  my  hopes  and  wishes.  And  my  good  Master, 
I  will  not  forget  the  doctrine  which  you  told  me  Socrates  taught 
his  scholars,  that  they  should  not  think  to  be  honored  so  much 
for  being  philospphers,  as  to  honor  philosophy  by  their  virtuous 
lives.  You  advised  me  to  the  like  concerning  Angling,  and  I 
will  endeavor  to  do  so,  and  to  live  like  those  many  worthy  men, 
of  which  you  made  mention  in  the  former  part  of  your  discourse. 


Chap.  XXL)  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  233 

This  is  my  firm  resolution.  And  as  a  pious  man  advised  his 
friend,  that,  to  beget  mortification,  he  should  frequent  churches, 
and  view  monuments,  and  charnel-houses,  and  then  and  there 
consider,  how  many  dead  bones  Time  had  piled  up  at  the  gates 
of  Death :  so  when  I  would  beget  content,  and  increase  con- 
fidence in  the  power,  and  wisdom,  and  providence  of  Almighty 
God,  I  will  walk  the  meadows  by  some  gliding  stream,  and 
there  contemplate  the  lilies  that  take  no  care,  and  those  very 
many  other  various  little  living  creatures,  that  are  not  only 
created,  but  fed,  man  knows  not  how,  by  the  goodness  of  the 
God  of  nature,  and  therefore  trust  in  him.  This  is  my  purpose ; 
and  so,  **  Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord  "  : 
and  let  the  blessing  of  St.  Peter's  Master  be  with  mine. 

Pisc.  And  upon  all  that  are  lovers  of  virtue,  and  dare  trust 
in  his  providence,  and  be  quiet,  and  go  a-Angling. 

"Study  to  bs  Quiet." — i  Thcs.  iv.  ii. 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER 


CONTEMPLATIVE  MAN'S  RECREATION 


Part  II. 


BEING  INSTRUCTIONS  HOW  TO  ANGLE   FOR  A  TROUT  OI 
GRAYLING  IN  A  CLEAR  STREAM 


THE    FIRST    DAY. 
CHAPTER    I. 

PISCATOR  JUNIOR   AND   VIATOR. 
PiSCATOR. 

YOU  are  happily  overtaken,  Sir.  May  a  man  be  so  bold  as 
to  inquire  how  far  you  travel  this  way  ? 

Viator.  Yes,  sure,  Sir,  very  freely ;  though  it  be  a  question 
I  cannot  very  well  resolve  you,  as  not  knowing  myself  how  far 
it  is  to  Ashbourn,  where  I  intend  to-night  to  take  up  my  inn. 

Pisc.  Why  then,  Sir,  seeing  I  perceive  you  to  be  a  stranger 
in  these  parts,  I  shall  take  upon  me  to  inform  you,  that  from 
the  town  you  last  came  through,  called  Brailsford,  it  is  five 
miles ;  and  you  are  not  yet  above  half  a  mile  on  this  side. 

ViAT.  So  much  !  I  was  told  it  was  but  ten  miles  from  Derby  ; 
and,  methinks,  I  have  rode  almost  so  far  already. 

Pisc.  O,  Sir,  find  no  fault  with  large  measure  of  good  land ; 
which  Derbyshire  abounds  in,  as  much  as  most  counties  of 
England. 

ViAT.  It  may  be  so ;  and  good  land,  I  confess,  affords  a 
pleasant  prospect :  but,  by  your  good  leave,  Sir,  large  measure 
of  foul  way  is  not  altogether  so  acceptable. 

Pisc.  True,  Sir ;  but  the  foul  way  serves  to  justify  the  fer- 
tility of  the  soil,  according  to  the  proverb,  **  There  is  good 
land  where  there  is  foul  way  ' '  :  and  is  of  good  use  to  inform  you 
of  the  riches  of  the  country  you  are  come  into,  and  of  its  con- 
tinual travel  and  traffic  to  the  country-town  you  came  from : 
which  is  also  very  observable  by  the  fulness  of  its  road,  and 
the  laden  horses  you  meet  everywhere  upon  the  way. 


238  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  t^ART  a 

ViAT.  Well,  Sir,  I  will  be  content  to  think  as  well  of  your 
country  as  you  would  desire.  And  I  shall  have  a  good  deal  of 
reason  both  to  think  and  to  speak  very  well  of  you,  if  I  may 
obtain  the  happiness  of  your  company  to  the  fore-mentioned 
place ;  provided  your  affairs  lead  you  that  way,  and  that  they 
will  permit  you  to  slack  your  pace,  out  of  complacency  to  a 
traveller  utterly  a  stranger  in  these  parts,  and  who  am  still  to 
wander  further  out  of  my  own  knowledge. 

Pisc.  Sir,  you  invite  me  to  my  own  advantage,  and  I  am 
ready  to  attend  you ;  my  way  lying  through  that  town ;  but 
my  business,  that  is,  my  home,  some  miles  beyond  it ;  however, 
I  shall  have  time  enough  to  lodge  you  in  your  quarters,  and 
afterwards  to  perform  my  ow*i  journey.  In  the  mean  time, 
may  I  be  so  bold  as  to  inquire  the  end  of  your  journey  ? 

ViAT.  'T  is  into  Lancashire,  Sir,  and  about  some  business 
of  concern  to  a  near  relation  of  mine :  for  I  assure  you,  I  do 
not  use  to  take  long  journeys,  a(s  from  Essex,  upon  the  single 
account  of  pleasure. 

Pisc.  From  thence.  Sir !  I  do  not  then  wonder  you  should 
appear  dissatisfied  with  the  length  of  the  miles,  and  the  foul- 
ness of  the  way ;  though  I  am  sorry  you  should  begin  to 
quarrel  with  them  so  soon:  for,  beheve  me,  Sir,  you  will  find 
the  miles  much  longer  and  the  way  much  worse,  before  you 
come  to  your  journey's  end. 

ViAT.  Why  truly.  Sir,  for  that,  I  am  prepared  to  expect  the 
worst ;  but  methinks  the  way  is  mended  since  I  had  the  good 
fortune  to  fall  into  your  good  company. 

Pisc.  You  are  not  obliged  to  my  company  for  that :  but  be- 
cause you  are  already  past  the  worst,  and  the  greatest  part  of 
your  way  to  your  lodging. 

ViAT.  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,  both  for  the  ease  of  myself 
and  my  horse :  but  especially  because  I  may  then  expect  a 
freer  enjoyment  of  your  conversation  :  though  the  shortness  of 
the  way  will,  I  fear,  make  me  lose  it  the  sooner. 

Pisc.  That,  Sir,  is  not  worth  your  care ;  and  I  am  sure  you 


Chap.  I]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  239 

deserve  much  better,  for  being  content  with  so  ill  company. 
But  we  have  already  talked  away  two  miles  of  your  journey ; 
for,  from  the  brook  before  us,  that  runs  at  the  foot  of  this 
sandy  hill,  you  have  but  three  miles  to  Ashbourn. 

ViAT.  I  meet  everywhere  in  this  country  with  these  little 
brooks ;  and  they  look  as  if  they  were  full  of  fish.  Have  they 
not  Trouts  in  them  ? 

Pisc.  That  is  a  question  which  is  to  be  excused  in  a  stranger, 
as  you  are :  otherwise,  give  me  leave  to  tell  you,  it  would 
seem  a  kind  of  affront  to  our  country,  to  make  a  doubt  of  what 
we  pretend  to  be  famous  for,  next,  if  not  before,  our  malt, 
wool,  lead,  and  coal :  for  you  are  to  understand,  that  we  think 
we  have  as  many  fine  rivers,  rivulets,  and  brooks  as  any  country 
whatever ;  and  they  are  all  full  of  Trouts,  and  some  of  them 
the  best,  it  is  said,  by  many  degrees,  in  England. 

ViAT.  I  was  first.  Sir,  in  love  with  you,  and  now  shall  be  so 
enamored  of  your  country,  by  this  account  you  give  me  of  it,  as 
to  wish  myself  a  Derbyshire  man,  or  at  least  that  I  might  live 
in  it ;  for  you  must  know  I  am  a  pretender  to  the  Angle,  and, 
doubtless,  a  Trout  affords  the  most  pleasure  to  the  Angler  of 
any  sort  of  fish  whatever  ;  and  the  best  Trouts  must  needs  make 
the  best  sport :  but  this  brook,  and  some  others  I  have  met 
with  upon  this  way,  are  too  full  of  wood  for  that  recreation. 

Pisc.  This,  Sir  !  why  this,  and  several  others  Hke  it,  which 
you  have  past,  and  some  that  you  are  like  to  pass,  have  scarce 
any  name  amongst  us :  but  we  can  show  you  as  fine  rivers,  and 
as  clear  from  wood,  or  any  other  encumbrance  to  hinder  an 
Angler,  as  any  you  ever  saw ;  and  for  clear,  beautiful  streams, 
Hantshire  itself,  by  Mr.  Izaak  Walton's  good  leave,  can  show 
none  such ;  nor  I  think  any  country  in  Europe. 

ViAT.  You  go  far.  Sir,  in  the  praise  of  your  country  rivers, 
and  I  perceive  have  read  Mr.  Walton's  Complete  Angler,  by 
your  naming  of  Hantshire;  and  I  pray  what  is  your  opinion 
of  that  book  ? 

Pisc.  My  opinion  of  Mr.  Walton's  book  is  the  same  with 


240  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  11. 

every  man's  that  understands  anything  of  the  art  of  Angling, 
that  it  is  an  excellent  good  one ;  and  that  the  forementioned 
gentleman  understands  as  much  of  fish,  and  fishing,  as  any  man 
living.  But  I  must  tell  you  further,  that  I  have  the  happiness 
to  know  his  person,  and  to  be  intimately  acquainted  with  him  ; 
and  in  him  to  know  the  worthiest  man,  and  to  enjoy  the 
best  and  the  truest  triend  any  man  ever  had :  nay,  I  shall  yet 
acquaint  you  further,  that  he  gives  me  leave  to  call  him  father, 
and  I  hope  is  not  yet  ashamed  to  own  me  for  his  adopted  son. 

ViAT.  In  earnest,  Sir,  I  am  ravished  to  meet  with  a  friend 
of  Mr.  Izaak  Walton's,  and  one  that  does  him  so  nmch  right 
in  so  good  and  true  a  character  :  for  I  must  boast  to  you,  that 
I  have  the  good  fortune  to  know  him  too,  and  came  acquainted 
with  him  much  after  the  san-*e  manner  I  do  with  you ;  that  he 
was  my  Master  who  first  taught  me  to  love  Angling,  and  then 
to  become  an  Angler  ;  and,  to  be  plain  v/ith  you,  I  am  the 
very  man  deciphered  in  his  book  under  the  name  of  Venator ; 
for  I  was  wholly  addicted  to  the  Chase,  till  he  taught  me  as 
good,  a  more  quiet,  innocent,  and  less  dangerous  diversion. 

Pisc.  Sir,  I  think  myself  happy  in  your  acquaintance ;  and 
before  we  part  shall  entreat  leave  to  embrace  you.  You  have 
said  enough  to  recommend  you  to  my  best  opinion ;  for  my 
Father  Walton  will  be  seen  twice  in  no  man's  company  he 
does  not  like,  and  likes  none  but  such  as  he  believes  to  be  very 
honest  men ;  which  is  one  of  the  best  arguments,  or  at  least  of 
the  best  testimonies  I  have,  that  I  either  am,  or  that  he  thinks 
me,  one  of  those,  seeing  I  have  not  yet  found  him  weary  of 
me. 

ViAT.  You  speak  like  a  true  friend;  and,  in  doing  so, 
render  yourself  worthy  of  his  friendship.  May  I  be  so  bold  as 
to  ask  your  name  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  surely.   Sir,   and  if   you   please   a  much   nicer 

question ;  my  name  is ,  and  I  intend  to  stay  long  enough 

in  your  company,  if  I  find  you  do  not  dislike  mine,  to  ask 
'  yours  too.     In  the  mean  time,  because  we  are  now  almost  at; 


Chap.  I.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  241 

Ashbourn,  I  shall  freely  and  bluntly  tell  you,  that  I  am  a 
Brother  of  the  Angle  too ;  and,  peradventure,  can  give  you 
some  instructions  how  to  angle  for  a  Trout  in  a  clear  river,  that 
my  Father  Walton  himself  will  not  disapprove  ;  though  he  did 
either  purposely  omit,  or  did  not  remember  them  when  you 
and  he  sat  discoursing  under  the  sycamore-tree.  And,  being 
you  have  already  told  me  whither  your  journey  is  intended,  and 
that  I  am  better  acquainted  with  the  country  than  you  are,  I 
will  heartily  and  earnestly  entreat  you  will  not  think  of  staying 
at  this  town,  but  go  on  with  me  six  miles  farther  to  my  house, 
where  you  shall  be  extremely  welcome ;  it  is  directly  in  your 
way ;  we  have  day  enough  to  perform  our  journey,  and,  as  you 
like  your  entertainment,  you  may  there  repose  yourself  a  day 
or  two,  or  as  many  more  as  your  occasions  will  permit,  to  rec- 
ompense the  trouble  of  so  much  a  longer  journey. 

ViAT.  Sir,  you  surprise  me  with  so  friendly  an  invitation 
upon  so  short  acquaintance :  but  how  advantageous  soever  it 
would  be  to  me,  and  that  my  haste,  perhaps,  is  not  so  great, 
but  it  might  dispense  with  such  a  divertisement  as  I  promise 
myself  in  your  company,  yet  I  cannot,  in  modesty,  accept  your 
offer,  and  must  therefore  beg  your  pardon :  I  could  otherwise, 
I  confess,  be  glad  to  wait  upon  you,  if  upon  no  other  account 
but  to  talk  of  Mr.  Izaak  Walton,  and  to  receive  those  instruc- 
tions you  say  you  are  able  to  give  me  for  the  deceiving  a 
Trout ;  in  which  art  I  will  not  deny  but  that  I  have  an  am- 
bition to  be  one  of  the  greatest  deceivers :  though  I  cannot 
forbear  freely  to  tell  you  that  I  think  it  hard  to  say  much  more 
than  has  been  read  to  me  upon  that  subject. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  I  grant  that  too ;  but  you  must  know  that 
the  variety  of  rivers  require  different  ways  of  Angling :  how- 
ever, you  shall  have  the  best  rules  I  am  able  to  give,  and  I  will 
tell  you  nothing  I  have  not  made  myself  as  certain  of,  as  any 
man  can  be  in  thirty  years'  experience,  for  so  long  I  have  been 
a  dabbler  in  that  art ;  and  that,  if  you  please  to  stay  a  few 
days,  you  shall  in  a  very  great  measure  see  made  good  to  you. 


'242  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  CPart  IL 

But  of  that  hereafter :  and  now,  Sir,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  I 
have  half  overcome  you ;  and  that  I  may  wholly  conquer  that 
modesty  of  yours,  I  will  take  upon  me  to  be  so  familiar  as  to 
say,  you  must  accept  my  invitation ;  which,  that  you  may  the 
more  easily  be  persuaded  to  do,  I  will  tell  you  that  my  house 
stands  upon  the  margin  of  one  of  the  finest  rivers  for  Trouts 
and  Grayling  in  England ;  that  I  have  lately  built  a  little  fish- 
ing-house upon  it>  dedicated  to  Anglers,  over  the  door  of  which 
you  will  see  the  two  first  letters  of  my  Father  Walton's  name 
and  mine,  twisted  in  cipher ;  *  that  you  shall  lie  in  the  same 
bed  he  has  sometimes  been  contented  with,  and  have  such 
country  entertainment  as  my  friends  sometimes  accept ;  and  be 
as  welcome,  too,  as  the  best  friend  of  them  all. 

ViAT.  No  doubt,  Sir,  but  my  Master  Walton  found  good 
reason  to  be  satisfied  with  his  entertainment  in  your  house ;  for 
you,  who  are  so  friendly  to  a  mere  stranger,  who  deserves  so 
little,  must  needs  be  exceeding  kind  and  free  to  him  who 
deserves  so  much. 

Pisc.  Believe  me,  no  :  and  such  as  are  intimately  acquainted 
with  that  gentleman  know  him  to  be  a  man  who  will  not  en- 
dure to  be  treated  like  a  stranger.  So  that  his  acceptation  of 
my  poor  entertainments  has  ever  been  a  pure  effect  of  his  own 
humility  and  good  nature,  and  nothing  else.  But,  Sir,  we  are 
now  going  down  theSpittle  Hill  into  the  town ;  and  therefore 
let  me  importune  you  suddenly  to  resolve,  and  most  earnestly 
not  to  deny  me. 

ViAT.  In  truth.  Sir,  I  am  so  overcome  by  your  bounty,  that 
I  find  I  cannot ;  but  must  render  myself  wholly  to  be  disposed 
by  you. 

Pisc.  Why  that 's  heartily  and  kindly  spoken,  and  I  as  heart- 
ily thank  you  :  and,  being  you  have  abandoned  yourself  to  my 
conduct,  we  will  only  call  and  drink  a  glass  on  horseback  at 
the  Talbot,  and  away. 

*  As  in  the  title-page 


Chap.  I.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  243 

ViAT.  I  attend  you.  But  what  pretty  river  is  tliis,  that  runs 
under  this  stone  bridge  ?     Has  it  a  name  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  't  is  called  Henmore,  and  has  in  it  both  Trout 
and  Grayling ;  but  you  will  meet  with  one  or  two  better  anon. 
And  so  soon  as  we  are  past  through  the  town,  I  will  endeavor, 
by  such  discourse  as  best  likes  you,  to  pass  away  the  time  till 
you  come  to  your  ill  quarters. 

ViAT.  We  can  talk  of  nothing  with  which  I  shall  be  more 
delighted,  than  of  Rivers  and  Angling. 

Pisc.  Let  those  be  the  subjects  then.  But  we  are  now  come 
to  the  Talbot.     What  will  you  drink.  Sir,  ale  or  wine  ? 

ViAT.  Nay,  I  am  for  the  country  liquor,  Derbyshire  ale,  if 
you  please ;  for  a  man  should  not,  methinks,  come  from  Lon- 
don to  drink  wine  in  the  Peak. 

Pisc.  You  are  in  the  right :  and  yet,  let  me  tell  you,  you 
may  drink  worse  French  wine  in  many  taverns  in  London,  than 
they  have  sometimes  at  this  house.  What,  Ho  !  bring  us  a 
flagon  of  your  best  ale.  And  now.  Sir,  my  service  to  you,  a 
good  health  to  the  honest  gentleman  you  know  of;  and  you 
are  welcome  into  the  Peak. 

ViAT.  I  thank  you.  Sir,  and  present  you  my  service  again, 
and  to  all  the  honest  Brothers  of  the  Angle. 

Pisc.  I  '11  pledge  you,  Sir :  so  there  's  for  your  ale,  and  fare- 
well. Come,  Sir,  let  us  be  going :  for  the  sun  grows  low,  and 
I  would  have  you  look  about  you  as  you  ride ;  for  you  will  see 
an  odd  country,  and  sights  that  will  seem  strange  to  you. 


THE    FIRST    DAY. 
CHAPTER    II. 

PiSCATOR. 

O  O,  Sir,  now  we  have  got  to  the  top  of  the  hill  out  of  town^ 
*^     look  about  you,  and  tell  me  how  you  like  the  country. 

ViAT.  Bless  me  !  what  mountains  are  here  !  Are  we  not  in 
Wales  ? 

Pisc.  No,  but  in  almost  as  mountainous  a  country  ;  and  yet 
these  hills,  though  high,  bleak,  and  craggy,  breed  and  feed 
good  beef  and  mutton  above  ground,  and  afford  good  store  of 
lead  within. 

ViAT.  They  had  need  of  all  those  commodities  to  make 
amends  for  the  ill  landscape  :  but  I  hope  our  way  does  not  lie 
over  any  of  these,  for  I  dread  a  precipice. 

Pisc.  Believe  me,  but  it  does,  and  down  one  especially,  that 
will  appear  a  little  terrible  to  a  stranger ;  though  the  way  is 
passable  enough,  and  so  passable,  that  we,  who  are  natives  of 
these  mountains,  and  acquainted  with  them,  disdain  to  alight. 

ViAT.  I  hope  though,  that  a  foreigner  is  privileged  to  use 
his  own  discretion,  and  that  I  may  have  the  liberty  to  intrust 
my  neck  to  the  fidelity  of  my  own  feet,  rather  than  to  those  of 
my  horse  ;  for  I  have  no  more  at  home. 

Pisc.  'T  were  hard  else.  But  in  the  mean  time,  I  think 
't  were  best,  while  this  way  is  pretty  even,  to  mend  our  pace, 
that  we  may  be  past  that  hill  I  speak  of,  to  the  end  your  ap- 
prehension may  not  be  doubled  for  want  of  light  to  discern  the 
easiness  of  the  descent. 

ViAT.  X  am  willing  to  put  forward  as  fast  as  my  beast  will 


Chap.  II.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  245 

give  me  leave ;  though  I  fear  nothing  in  your  company.  But 
what  pretty  river  is  this  we  are  going  into  ? 

Pisc.  Why  this,  Sir,  is  called  Bentley  Brook,  and  is  full  of 
very  good  Trout  and  Grayling  ;  but  so  encumbered  with  wood 
in  many  places,  as  is  troublesome  to  an  Angler. 

ViAT.  Here  are  the  prettiest  rivers  and  the  most  of  them  in 
this  country  that  ever  I  saw  :  do  you  know  how  many  you 
have  in  the  country  ? 

Pisc.  I  know  them  all,  and  they  were  not  hard  to  reckon, 
were  it  worth  the  trouble  ;  but  the  most  considerable  of  them 
I  will  presently  name  you.  And  to  begin  where  we  now  are, 
for  you  must  know  we  are  now  upon  the  very  skirts  of  Derby- 
shire ;  we  have,  first,  the  river  Dove,  that  we  shall  come  to  by 
and  by,  which  divides  the  two  counties  of  Derby  and  Stafford, 
for  many  miles  together ;  and  is  so  called  from  the  swiftness  of 
its  current,  and  that  swiftness  occasioned  by  the  declivity  of  its 
course,  and  by  being  so  straitened  in  that  course  betwixt  the 
rocks;  by  which,  and  those  very  high  ones,  it  is  hereabout, 
for  four  or  five  miles,  confined  into  a  very  narrow  stream.  A 
river  that,  from  a  contemptible  fountain,  which  I  can  cover 
with  my  hat,  by  the  confluence  of  other  rivers,  rivulets,  brooks, 
and  rills,  is  swelled, — before  it  falls  into  Trent,  a  little  below 
Egginton,  where  it  loses  the  name, — to  such  a  breadth  and 
depth  as  to  be  in  most  places  navigable,  were  not  the  passage 
frequently  interrupted  with  fords  and  weirs  :  and  has  as  fertile 
banks  as  any  river  in  England,  none  excepted.  And  this 
river,  from  its  head,  for  a  mile  or  two,  is  a  black  water, — as 
all  the  rest  of  the  Derbyshire  rivers  of  note  originally  are  ;  for 
they  all  spring  from  the  mosses, — but  is  in  a  few  miles'  travel 
so  clarified,  by  the  addition  of  several  clear,  and  very  great 
springs,  bigger  than  itself,  which  gush  out  of  the  limestone 
rocks,  that  before  it  comes  to  my  house,  which  is  but  six  or 
seven  miles  from  its  source,  you  will  find  it  one  of  the  purest 
crystalline  streams  you  have  seen. 

ViAT.  Does  Trent  spring  in  these  parts  ? 


246  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II 

Pisc.  Yes,  in  these  parts  :  not  in  this  county,  but  some- 
where towards  the  upper  end  of  Staffordshire,  I  think  not  fai 
from  a  place  called  Trenthani ;  and  thence  runs  down  not  fa: 
from  Stafford  to  Wolsley  Bridge,  and,  washing  the  skirts  and 
purlieus  of  the  Forest  of  Needwood,  runs  down  to  Burton  in 
the  sanie  county  :  thence  it  comes  into  this  where  we  now  are, 
and,  running  by  Swarkeston  and  Dunnington,  receives  Der- 
went  at  Wildon  ;  and  so  to  Nottingham,  thence  to  Newark, 
and  by  Gainsborough  to  Kingston  upon  Hull,  where  it  takes 
the  name  of  Humber,  and  thence  falls  into  the  sea :  but  that 
the  map  will  best  inform  you. 

ViAT.  Know  you  whence  this  river  Trent  derives  its  name  ? 

Pisc.  No,  indeed,  and  yet  I  have  heard  it  often  discoursed 
upon,  when  some  have  given  its  denomination  from  the  fore- 
named  Trentham,  though  that  seems  rather  a  derivative  from 
it;  others  have  said,  't  is  so  called  from  thirty  rivers  that  fall 
into  it,  and  there  lose  their  names ;  which  cannot  be,  neither, 
because  it  carries  that  name  from  its  very  fountain,  before  any 
other  rivers  fall  into  it :  others  derive  it  from  thirty  several 
sorts  of  fish  that  breed  there  ;  and  that  is  the  most  likely  deri- 
vation :  but  be  it  how  it  will,  it  is  doubtless  one  of  the  finest 
rivers  in  the  world,  and  the  most  abounding  with  excellent 
Salmon,  and  all  sorts  of  delicate  fish. 

ViAT.  Pardon  me,  Sir,  for  tempting  you  into  this  digres- 
sion :  and  then  proceed  to  your  other  rivers,  for  I  am  mightily 
delighted  with  this  discourse. 

Pisc.  It  was  no  interruption,  but  a  very  seasonable  question  ; 
for  Trent  is  not  only  one  of  our  Derbyshire  rivers,  but  the 
chief  of  them,  and  into  which  all  the  rest  pay  the  tribute  of 
their  names  ;  which  I  had,  perhaps,  forgot  to  insist  upon,  be- 
ing got  to  the  other  end  of  the  county,  had  you  not  awoke  my 
memory.  But  I  will  now  proceed  ;  and  the  next  river  of  note, 
for  I  will  take  them  as  they  lie  eastward  from  us,  is  the  river 
'  Wye  :  I  say  of  note,  for  we  have  two  lesser  betwixt  us  and  it, 
namely,  Lathkin,  and  Bradford ;  of  which  Lathkin  is,  by  many 


Chap.  11.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  247 

degrees,  the  purest  and  most  transparent  stream  that  I  ever  yet 
saw,  either  at  home  or  abroad  ;  and  breeds,  't  is  said,  the  red- 
dest and  the  best  Trouts  in  England  ;  but  neither  of  these  are 
to  be  reputed  rivers,  being  no  better  than  great  springs.  The 
river  Wye  then  has  its  source  near  unto  Buxton,  a  town  some 
ten  miles  from  hence,  famous  for  a  warm  bath,  and  which  you 
are  to  ride  through  in  your  way  to  Manchester  :  a  black  water 
too  at  the  fountain,  but,  by  the  same  reason  with  Dove,  be- 
comes very  soon  a  most  delicate  clear  river,  and  breeds  admi- 
rable Trout  and  Grayling,  reputed  by  those  who,  by  living 
upon  its  banks,  are  partial  to  it,  the  best  of  any ;  and  this  run- 
ning down  by  Ashford,  Bakewell,  and  Haddon,  at  a  town  a 
little  lower  called  Rowsley,  falls  into  Derwent,  and  there  loses 
its  name.  The  next  in  order  is  Derwent,  a  black  water  too, 
and  that  not  only  from  its  fountain,  but  quite  through  its  prog- 
ress, not  having  these  crystal  springs  to  wash  and  cleanse  it, 
which  the  two  foremen tioned  have :  but  abounds  with  Trout 
and  Grayling,  such  as  they  are,  towards  its  source,  and  with 
Salmon  below  :  and  this  river  from  the  upper  and  utmost  part  of 
this  county,  where  it  springs,  taking  its  course  by  Chatsworth, 
Darley,  Matlock,  Derby,  Burrow-Ash,  and  Awberson,  falls 
into  Trent  at  a  place  called  Wildon,  and  there  loses  its  name. 
The  east  side  of  this  County  of  Derby  is  bounded  by  little  in- 
considerable rivers,  as  Awber,  Eroways,  and  the  like,  scarce 
worth  naming,  but  Trouty  too,  and  further  we  are  not  to  in- 
quire. But,  Sir,  I  have  carried  you,  as  a  man  may  say,  by 
water,  till  we  are  now  come  to  the  descent  of  the  formidable 
hill  I  told  you  of,  at  the  foot  of  which  runs  the  river  Dove, 
which  I  cannot  but  love  above  all  the  rest ;  and  therefore  pre- 
pare yourself  to  be  a  little  frighted. 

ViAT.  Sir,  I  see  you  would  fortify  me,  that  I  should  not 
shame  myself;  but  I  dare  follow  where  you  please  to  lead  me; 
and  I  see  no  danger  yet ;  for  the  descent,  methinks,  is  thus  far 
green,  even,  and  easy. 

Pisc.  You  will  like  it  worse  presently,  when  you  come  to 


248  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  11. 

the  brow  of  the  hill: — and  now  we  are  there,  what  think 
you? 

ViAT.  What  do  I  think?  Why  I  think  it  the  strangest 
place  that  ever,  sure,  men  and  horses  went  down ;  and  that, 
if  there  be  any  safety  at  all,  the  safest  way  is  to  alight. 

Pisc.  I  think  so  too  for  you,  who  are  mounted  upon  a  beast 
not  acquainted  with  these  slippery  stones :  and,  though  I  fre- 
quently ride  down,  I  will  alight  too,  to  bear  you  company, 
and  to  lead  you  the  way ;  and,  if  you  please,  my  man  shall 
lead  your  horse. 

ViAT.  Marry,  Sir  ?  and  thank  you  too :  for  I  am  afraid  I 
shall  have  enough  to  do  to  look  to  myself ;  and  with  my  horse 
in  my  hand  should  be  in  a  double  fear,  both  of  breaking  my 
neck,  and  my  horse's  falling  on  me ;  for  it  is  as  steep  as  a 
penthouse. 

Pisc.  To  look  down  from  hence  it  appears  so,  I  confess ; 
but  the  path  winds  and  turns,  and  will  not  be  found  so  trouble- 
some. 

ViAT.  Would  I  were  well  down  though  I  Hoist  thee ! 
there 's  one  fair  *scape  !  these  stones  are  so  slippery  I  cannot 
stand !  yet  again  !  I  think  I  were  best  lay  my  heels  in  my 
neck,  and  tumble  down. 

Pisc.  If  you  think  your  heels  will  defend  your  neck,  that  is 
the  way  to  be  soon  at  the  bottom.  But  give  me  your  hand  at 
this  broad  stone,  and  then  the  worst  is  past. 

ViAT.  I  thank  you.  Sir,  I  am  now  past  it,  I  can  go  myself. 
What 's  here  ?  the  sign  of  a  bridge  ?  Do  you  use  to  travel 
with  wheelbarrows  in  this  country  ? 

Pisc.  Not  that  I  ever  saw.  Sir.  Why  do  you  ask  that 
question  ? 

ViAT.  Because  this  bridge  certainly  was  made  for  nothing 
else ;  why  a  mouse  can  hardly  go  over  it :  't  is  not  two  fingers 
broad. 

Pisc.  You  are  pleasant,  and  I  am  glad  to  see  you  so :  but  I 
have  rid  over  the  bridge  many  a  dark  night. 


Chap.  II.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  249 

ViAT.  Why,  according  to  the  French  proverb,  and  't  is  a 
good  one  among  a  great  many  of  worse  sense  and  sound  that 
language  abounds  in,  Ce  que  Dieu  garde,  est  Hen  garde.  They 
whom  God  takes  care  of  are  in  safe  protection  ;  but,  let  me  tell 
you,  I  would  not  ride  over  it  for  a  thousand  pounds,  nor  fall 
off  it  for  two ;  and  yet  I  think  I  dare  venture  on  foot,  though 
if  you  were  not  by  to  laugh  at  me,  I  should  do  it  on  all  four. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  your  mirth  becomes  you,  and  I  am  glad  to 
see  you  safe  over ;  and  now  you  are  welcome  into  Stafford- 
shire. 

ViAT.  How,  Staffordshire  !  What  do  I  there  trow  ?  There 
is  not  a  word  of  Staffordshire  in  all  my  direction. 

Pisc.  You  see  you  are  betrayed  into  it ;  but  it  shall  be  in 
order  to  something  that  will  make  amends  j  and  't  is  but  an  ill 
mile  or  two  out  of  your  way. 

ViAT.  I  believe  all  things.  Sir,  and  doubt  nothing.  Is  this 
your  beloved  river  Dove?  'T  is  clear  and  swift,  indeed,  but 
a  very  little  one. 

Pisc.  You  see  it  here  at  the  worst  \  we  shall  come  to  it  anon 
again  after  two  miles  riding,  and  so  near  as  to  lie  upon  the 
very  banks. 

ViAT.  Would  we  were  there  once  !  But  I  hope  we  have  no 
more  of  these  Alps  to  pass  over. 

Pisc.  No,  no.  Sir,  only  this  ascent  before  you,  which  you 
see  is  not  very  uneasy;  and  then  you  will  no  more  quarrel 
with  your  way. 

ViAT.  Well,  if  ever  I  come  to  London,  of  which  many  a 
man  there,  if  he  were  in  my  place  would  make  a  question,  I 
will  sit  down  and  write  my  travels ;  and,  like  Tom  Coriate, 
print  them  at  my  own  charge.  Pray  what  do  you  call  this  hill 
we  come  down  ? 

Pisc.  We  call  it  Hanson  Toot. 

ViAT.  Why,  farewell  Hanson  Toot !  I  '11  no  more  on  thee  : 
I  '11  go  twenty  miles  about  first.  Puh  !  I  sweat,  that  my  shirt 
sticks  to  my  back. 


2  so  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  U 

Pisc.  Come,  Sir,  now  we  are  up  the  hill,  and  now  how  do 
you? 

ViAT.  Why,  very  well,  I  humbly  thank  you,  Sir,  and  warm 
enough,  I  assure  you.  What  have  we  here,  a  church  !  As  I  'm 
an  honest  man,  a  very  pretty  church  !  Have  you  churches  in 
this  country.  Sir  ? 

Pisc.  You  see  we  have :  but,  had  you  seen  none,  why  should 
you  make  that  doubt.  Sir  ? 

ViAT.  Why,  if  you  will  not  be  angry,  I  '11  tell  you  I  thought 
myself  a  stage  or  two  beyond  Christendom. 

Pisc.  Come,  come  !  we  '11  reconcile  you  to  our  country,  be- 
fore we  part  with  you ;  if  showing  you  good  sport  with  An- 
gling will  do  it. 

ViAT.  My  respect  to  you,  and  that  together  may  do  much. 
Sir;  otherwise,  to  be  plain  with  you,  I  do  not  find  myself 
much  inclined  that  way. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  your  raillery  upon  our  mountains  has 
brought  us  almost  home.  And  look  you  where  the  same  river 
of  Dove  has  again  met  us  to  bid  you  welcome,  and  to  invite 
you  to  a  dish  of  Trouts  to-morrow. 

ViAT.  Is  this  the  same  we  saw  at  the  foot  of  Penmen-Maure  ? 
It  is  a  much  finer  river  here. 

Pisc.  It  will  appear  yet  much  finer  to-morrow.  But  look 
you.  Sir,  here  appears  the  house,  that  is  now  like  to  be  your 
inn,  for  want  of  a  better. 

ViAT.  It  appears  on  a  sudden,  but  not  before  't  was  looked 
for.  It  stands  prettily,  and  here  's  wood  about  it  too,  but  so 
young,  as  appears  to  be  of  your  own  planting. 

Pisc.  It  is  so.  Will  it  please  you  to  alight.  Sir.— And  now 
permit  me,  after  all  your  pains  and  dangers,  to  take  you  in  my 
arms,  and  to  assure  you  that  you  are  infinitely  welcome. 

ViAT.  I  thank  you,  Sir,  and  am  glad  with  all  my  heart  I  am 
here ;  for,  in  downright  truth,  I  am  exceeding  weary. 

Pisc.  You  will  sleep  so  much  the  better  :  you  shall  presently 
have  a  light  supper,  and  to  bed.     Come,  Sirs,  lay  the  cloth. 


Chap.  II.)  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  2Sl 

and  bring  what  you  have  presently,  and  let  the  gentleman's 
bed  be  made  ready  in  the  mean  time,  in  my  Father  Walton's 
chamber.  And  now,  Sir,  here  is  my  service  to  you  ;  and 
once  more  welcome  ! 

ViAT.  I,  marry,  Sir,  this  glass  of  good  sack  has  refreshed 
me.  And  I  '11  make  as  bold  with  your  meat,  for  the  trout  has 
got  me  a  good  stomach. 

Pisc.  Come,  Sir,  fall  to  then,  you  see  my  little  supper  is  al- 
ways ready  when  I  come  home;  and  I  '11  make  no  stranger  of 
you. 

ViAT.  That  your  meal  is  so  soon  ready,  is  a  sign  your  ser- 
vants know  your  certain  hours.  Sir.  I  confess  I  did  not  ex- 
pect it  so  soon ;  but  now  't  is  here,  you  shall  see  I  will  make 
myself  no  stranger. 

Pisc.  Much  good  do  your  heart !  and  I  thank  you  for  that 
friendly  word.  And  now,  Sir,  my  service  to  you  in  a  cup  of 
More-Lands  ale;  for  you  are  now  in  the  More-Lands,  but 
within  a  spit  and  a  stride  of  the  Peak.  Fill  my  friend  his 
glass.  ^ 

ViAT.  Believe  me,  you  have  good  ale  in  the  More-Lands : 
far  better  than  that  at  Ashbourn. 

Pisc.  That  it  may  soon  be ;  for  Ashbourn  has,  which  is  a 
kind  of  a  riddle,  always  in  it  the  best  malt,  and  the  worst  ale 
in  England.  Come,  take  away,  and  bring  us  some  pipes,  and 
a  bottle  of  ale,  and  go  to  your  own  suppers.  Are  you  for  this 
diet,  Sir  ? 

ViAT.  Yes,  Sir,  I  am  for  one  pipe  of  tobacco ;  and  I  per- 
ceive yours  is  very  good  by  the  smell. 

Pisc.  The  best  I  can  get  in  London,  I  assure  you.  But, 
Sir,  now  you  have  thus  far  complied  with  my  designs,  as  to 
take  a  troublesome  journey  into  an  ill  country,  only  to  satisfy 
me ;  how  long  may  I  hope  to  enjoy  you  ? 

ViAT.  Why,  truly,  Sir,  as  long  as  I  conveniently  can ;  and 
longer,  I  think,  you  would  not  have  me. 

Pisc.  Not  to  your  inconvenience  by  any  means,  Sir,  but  I 


252  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IPart  IL 

5ee  you  are  weary,  and  therefore  I  will  presently  wait  on  you 
to  your  chamber,  where  take  counsel  of  your  pillow,  and  to- 
morrow resolve  me.  Here !  take  the  lights,  and  pray  follow 
them,  Sir :  here  you  are  like  to  lie :  and,  now  I  have  showed 
you  your  lodgings,  I  beseech  you  command  anything  you  want ; 
and  so  I  wish  you  good  rest  I 
ViAT.  Good  night,  Sir  I 


THE    SECOND    DAY. 

CHAPTER    III. 

PiSCATOR. 

r^  OOD  morrow,  Sir  !     What,  up  and  dressed  so  early  ? 
^-*     ViAT.  Yes,  Sir,  I  have  been  dressed  this  half-hour ;  for 
I  rested  so  well,  and  have  so  great  a  mind  either  to  take,  or  see 
a  Trout  taken,  in  your  fine  river,  that  I  could  no  longer  lie 
abed. 

Pisc.  I  am  glad  to  see  you  so  brisk  this  morning,  and  so 
eager  of  sport ;  though,  I  must  tell  you,  this  day  proves  so 
calm,  and  the  sun  rises  so  bright,  as  promises  no  great  success 
to  the  Angler;  but,  however,  we'll  try;  and,  one  way  or 
other,  we  shall,  sure,  do  something.  What  will  you  have  to 
your  breakfast,  or  what  will  you  drink  this  morning  ? 

ViAT.  For  breakfast,  I  never  eat  any,  and  for  drink  I  am 
very  indifferent ;  but  if  you  please  to  call  for  a  glass  of  ale,  I  'm 
for  you :  and  let  it  be  quickly,  if  you  please,  for  I  long  to  see 
the  little  fishing-house  you  spoke  of,  and  to  be  at  my  lesson. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir  !  You  see  the  ale  is  come  without  calling ; 
for  though  I  do  not  know  yours,  my  people  know  my  diet ; 
which  is  always  one  glass  so  soon  as  I  am  dressed,  and  no  more 
till  dinner  ;  and  so  my  servants  have  served  you. 

ViAT.  My  thanks.  And  now,  if  you  please,  let  us  look  out 
this  fine  morning. 

Pisc.  With  all  my  heart ;  boy,  take  the  key  of  my  fishing- 
house,  and  carry  down  those  two  angle-rods  in  the  hall-window, 
thither,  with  my  fish-pannier,  pouch,  and  landing-net ;  and  stay 
you  there  till  we  come.     Come,  Sir,  we  '11  walk  after;  where, 


254  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

by  the  way,  I  expect  you  should  raise  all  the  exceptions  against 
our  country  you  can. 

ViAT.  Nay,  Sir,  do  not  think  me  so  ill-natured  nor  so  un- 
civil :  I  only  made  a  little  bold  with  it  last  night  to  divert  you, 
and  was  only  in  jest. 

Pisc.  You  were  then  in  as  good  earnest  as  I  am  now  with 
you :  but  had  you  been  really  angry  at  it,  I  could  not  blame 
you ;  for,  to  say  the  truth,  it  is  not  very  taking  at  first  sight. 
But  look  you.  Sir,  now  you  are  abroad,  does  not  the  sun  shine 
as  bright  here  as  in  Essex,  Middlesex,  or  Kent,  or  any  of  your 
southern  counties? 

ViAT.  'T  is  a  delicate  morning  indeed  !  And  I  now  think 
this  a  marvellous  pretty  place. 

Pisc.  Whether  you  think  so  or  no,  you  cannot  oblige  me 
more  than  to  say  so ;  and  those  of  my  friends  who  know  my 
humor,  and  are  so  kind  as  to  comply  with  it,  usually  flatter  me 
that  way.  But  look  you.  Sir,  now  you  are  at  the  brink  of  the 
hill,  how  do  you  Hke  my  river,  the  vale  it  winds  through  Hke  a 
snake,  and  the  situation  of  my  Httle  fishing-house? 

ViAT.  Trust  me,  't  is  all  very  fine;  and  the  house  seems  at 
this  distance  a  neat  building. 

Pisc.  Good  enough  for  that  purpose.  And  here  is  a  bowl- 
ing-green too,  close  by  it ;  so,  though  I  am  myself  no  very  good 
bowler,  I  am  not  totally  devoted  to  m^  own  pleasure,  but  that 
I  have  also  some  regard  to  other  men's.  And  now.  Sir,  you 
are  come  to  the  door ;  pray  walk  in,  and  there  we  will  sit  and 
talk,  as  long  as  you  please. 

ViAT.  Stay,  what  's  here  over  the  door  ?  Piscatoribus  sa- 
crum !  *  Why  then  I  perceive  I  have  some  title  here ;  for  I  am 
one  of  them,  though  one  of  the  worst ;  and  here  below  it  is  the 
cipher  too  you  spoke   of,  and    *t  is  prettily  contrived.     Has 

*  There  is,  under  this  motto,  the  cipher  mentioned  in  the  title-page  And 
some  part  of  the  fishing-house  has  been  described  ;  but  the  pleasantness  of 
the  river,  mountains,  and  meadows  about  it  cannot,  unless  Sir  Philip  Sidney, 
or  Mr.  Cotton's  father,  were  again  alive  to  do  it. 


Chap.  III.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  255 

my  Master  Walton  ever  been  here  to  see  it  ?  for  it  seems  new 

built. 

Pisc.  Yes,  he  saw  it  cut  in  the  stone  before  it  was  set  up ; 
but  never  in  the  posture  it  now  stands :  for  the  house  was  but 
building  when  he  was  last  here,  and  not  raised  so  high  as  the 
arch  of  the  door.  And  I  am  afraid  he  will  not  see  it  yet ;  for 
he  has  lately  writ  me  word,  he  doubts  his  coming  down  this 
summer ;  which,  I  do  assure  you,  was  the  worst  news  he  could 
possibly  have  sent  me. 

ViAT.  Men  must  sometimes  mind  their  affairs  to  make  more 
room  for  their  pleasures ;  and  't  is  odds  he  is  as  much  displeased 
with  the  business  that  keeps  him  from  you,  as  you  are  that  he 
comes  not.  But  I  am  the  most  pleased  with  this  Httle  house  of 
anything  I  ever  saw  :  it  stands  in  a  kind  of  peninsula,  too,  with 
a  delicate  clear  river  about  it.  I  dare  hardly  go  in,  lest  I  should 
not  like  it  so  well  within  as  without ;  but  by  your  leave  I  '11  try. 
Why  this  is  better  and  better,  fine  lights,  finely  wainscoted,  and 
aH  exceeding  neat,  with  a  marble  table  and  all  in  the  middle. 

Pisc.  Enough,  Sir,  enough !  I  have  laid  open  to  you  the 
part  where  I  can  worst  defend  myself;  and  now  you  attack  me 
there !  Come,  boy,  set  two  chairs,  and  whilst  I  am  taking  a 
pipe  of  tobacco,  which  is  always  my  breakfast,  we  will,  if  you 
please,  talk  of  some  other  subject. 

ViAT.  None  fitter,  then,  Sir,  for  the  time  and  place,  than 
those  instructions  you  promised. 

Pisc.  I  begin  to  doubt,  by  something  I  discover  in  you, 
whether  I  am  able  to  instruct  you,  or  no :  though,  if  you  are 
really  a  stranger  to  our  clear  northern  rivers,  I  still  think  I  can  ; 
and  therefore,  since  it  is  yet  too  early  in  the  morning  at  this 
time  of  the  year,  to-day  being  but  the  7  th  of  March,  to  cast  a 
fly  upon  the  water,  if  you  will  direct  me  what  kind  of  fishing 
for  a  Trout  I  shall  read  you  a  lecture  on,  I  am  willing  and  ready 
to  obey  you. 

ViAT.  Why,  Sir,  if  you  will  so  far  oblige  me  and  that  it  may 
not  be  too  troublesome  to  you,  I  would  entreat  you  would  run 


256  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  IL 

through  the  whole  body  of  it ;  and  I  will  not  conceal  from  you, 
that  I  am  so  far  in  love  with  you,  your  courtesy,  and  pretty 
Moreland  seat,  as  to  resolve  to  stay  with  you  long  enough  by 
intervals ;  for  I  will  not  oppress  you,  to  hear  all  you  can  say 
upon  that  subject. 

Pisc.  You  cannot  oblige  me  more  than  by  such  a  promise. 
And,  therefore,  without  more  ceremony  I  will  begin  to  tell  you, 
that  my  Father  Walton  having  read  to  you  before,  it  would 
look  like  a  presumption  in  me,  and  peradventure  would  do  so 
in  any  other  man,  to  pretend  to  give  lessons  for  Angling  after 
him  who,  I  do  really  believe,  understands  as  much  of  it,  at  least, 
as  any  man  in  England ;  did  I  not  pre-acquaint  you,  that  I  am 
not  tempted  to  it  by  any  vain  opinion  of  myself,  that  I  am  able 
to  give  you  better  directions ;  but,  having  from  my  childhood 
pursued  the  recreation  of  Angling  in  very  clear  rivers, — truly  I 
think  by  much,  some  of  them  at  least,  the  clearest  in  this  king- 
dom,— and  the  manner  of  Angling  here  with  us,  by  reason  of 
that  exceeding  clearness,  being  something  different  from  the 
method  commonly  used  in  others,  which,  by  being  not  near  so 
bright,  admit  of  stronger  tackle,  and  allow  a  nearer  approach 
to  the  stream ; — I  may,  peradventure,  give  you  some  instruc- 
tions, that  may  be  of  use  even  in  your  own  rivers ;  and  shall 
bring  you  acquainted  with  more  flies,  and  show  you  how  to 
make  them,  and  with  what  dubbing  too,  than  he  has  taken  notice 
of  in  his  Complete  Angler. 

ViAT.  I  beseech,  you.  Sir,  do  :  and,  if  you  will  lend  me  your 
steel,  I  will  light  a  pipe  the  while;  for  that  is  commonly  my 
breakfast  in  a  morning,  too. 


THE    SECOND    DAY. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

PiSCATOR. 

"1 1  7HY  then,  Sir,  to  begin  methodically,  as  a  master  in  any 
^ "  art  should  do, — and  I  will  not  deny  but  that  I  think 
myself  a  master  in  this, — I  shall  divide  Angling  for  Trout  or 
Grayling  into  these  three  ways :  at  the  top,  at  the  bottom, 
and  in  the  middle ;  which  three  ways,  though  they  are  all  of 
them,  as  I  shall  hereafter  endeavor  to  make  it  appear,  in  some 
sort  common  to  both  those  kinds  of  fish,  yet  are  they  not  so 
generally  and  absolutely  so  but  that  they  will  necessarily  requiie 
a  distinction ;  which,  in  due  place,  I  will  also  give  you. 

That  which  we  call  angling  at  the  top  is  with  a  fly ;  at  the 
bottom,  with  a  ground-bait;  in  the  middle,  with  a  minnow, 
or  ground-bait. 

Angling  at  the  top  is  of  two  sorts :  with  a  quick-fly,  or  with 
an  artificial-fly. 

That  we  call  angling  at  the  bottom  is  also  of  two  sorts :  by 
the  hand,  or  with  a  cork  or  float. 

That  we  call  angling  in  the  middle  is  also  of  two  sorts :  with 
a  minnow  for  a  Trout,  or  with  a  ground-bait  for  a  Grayling. 

Of  all  which  several  sorts  of  Angling  I  will,  if  you  can 
have  the  patience  to  hear  me,  give  you  the  best  account  I  can. 

ViAT.  The  trouble  will  be  yours,  and  mine  the  pleasure  and 
the  obligation.     I  beseech  you,  therefore,  to  proceed. 

Pisc  Why,  then,  first  of  Fly-fishing. 


THE    SECOND    DAY. 
Chap.  V,—Of  Fly-Fishing. 

PiSCATOR. 

pLY-FISHING,  or  fishing  at  the  top,  is,  as  I  said  before,  of 
*  two  sorts :  with  a  Natural,  and  hving.  Fly,  or  with  an 
Artificial,  and  made,  Fly. 

First,  then,  Of  the  Natural  Fly :  of  which  we  generally  use 
but  two  sorts,  and  those  but  in  the  two  months  of  May  and 
June  only,  namely,  the  Green-drake  and  the  Stone-fly ;  though 
I  have  made  use  of  a  third  that  way,  called  the  Camlet-fly, 
with  very  good  success  for  Grayling,  but  never  saw  it  angled 
with  by  any  other  after  this  manner,  my  master  only  excepted, 
who  died  many  years  ago,  and  was  one  of  the  best  Anglers 
that  ever  I  knew. 

These  are  to  be  angled  with,  with  a  short  line,  not  much 
more  than  half  the  length  of  your  rod,  if  the  air  be  still ;  or 
with  a  longer,  very  near  or  all  out  as  long  as  your  rod,  if  you 
have  [any  wind  to  carry  it  from  you :  and  this  way  of  fishing 
we  call  Daping,  Dabbing,  or  Dibbling;  wherein  you  are 
always  to  have  your  line  flying  before  you  up  or  down  the 
river  as  the  wind  serves,  and  to  angle  as  near  as  you  can  to  the 
bank  of  the  same  side  whereon  you  stand  :  though  where  you 
see  a  fish  rise  near  you,  you  may  guide  your  quick-fly  over 
him,  whether  in  the  middle,  or  on  che  contrary  side;  and,  if 
you  are  pretty  well  out  of  sight,  either  by  kneeling  or  the  in- 
terposition of  a  bank  or  bush,  you  may  almost  be  sure  to  raise, 
and  take  him  too,  if  it  be  presently  done ;  the  fish  will  other- 
wise, peradventure,  be  removed  to  some  other  place,  if  it  be 
ia  the  still-deeps,  where  he  is  always  in  motion,  and  roving  up 


Chap.  V]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  259 

and  down  to  look  for  prey ;  though  in  a  stream,  you  may 
always,  almost,  especially  if  there  be  a  good  stone  near,  find 
him  in  the  same  place.  Your  line  ought  in  this  case  to  be 
three  good  hairs  next  the  hook ;  both  by  reason  you  are,  in 
this  kind  of  Angling,  to  expect  the  biggest  fish,  and  also  that, 
wanting  length  to  give  him  line  after  he  is  struck,  you  must  be 
forced  to  tug  for  't ;  to  which  I  will  also  add,  that,  not  an  inch 
of  your  line  being  to  be  suffered  to  touch  the  water  in  dib- 
bling, it  may  be  allowed  to  be  the  stronger.  I  should  now 
give  you  a  description  of  those  flies,  their  shape  and  color,  and 
then  give  you  an  account  of  their  breeding,  and  withal  show 
you  how  to  keep  and  use  them ;  but  shall  defer  that  to  their 
proper  place  and  season. 

ViAT.  In  earnest,  Sir,  you  discourse  very  rationally  of  this 
affair,  and  I  am  glad  to  find  myself  mistaken  in  you ;  for  in 
plain  truth  I  did  not  expect  so  much  from  you. 

Pisc.  Nay,  Sir,  I  can  tell  you  a  great  deal  more  than  this, 
and  will  conceal  nothing  from  you.  But  I  must  now  come  to 
the  second  way  of  angling  at  the  top,  which  is  with  an  arti* 
ficial-fly,  which  also  I  will  show  you  how  to  make  before  I 
have  done  :  but  first  shall  acquaint  you,  that  with  this  you  are 
to  angle  with  a  line  longer,  by  a  yard  and  a  half  or  sometimes 
two  yards,  than  your  rod ;  and  with  both  this,  and  the  other, 
in  a  still  day,  in  the  streams,  in  a  breeze  that  curls  the  water 
in  the  still-deeps,  where  (excepting  in  May  and  June,  that  the 
best  Trouts  will  lie  in  shallow  streams  to  watch  for  prey,  and 
even  then  too)  you  are  like  to  hit  the  best  fish. 

For  the  length  of  your  rod,  you  are  always  to  be  governed 
by  the  breadth  of  the  river  you  shall  choose  to  angle  at :  and 
for  a  Trout-river,  one  of  five  or  six  yards  long  is  commonly 
enough ;  and  longer,  though  never  so  neatly  and  artificially 
made,  it  ought  not  to  be,  if  you  intend  to  fish  at  case ;  and  if 
otherwise,  where  lies  the  sport  ? 

Of  these,  the  best  that  ever  I  saw  are  made  in  Yorkshire, 
which  are  all  of  one  piece :  that  is  to  say  of  several,  six,  eight, 


26o  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  TL 

ten,  or  twelve  pieces,  so  neatly  pieced,  and  tied  together  with 
fine  thread  below,  and  silk  above,  as  to  make  it  taper,  like  a 
switch,  and  to  ply  with  a  true  bent  to  your  hand.  And  these, 
too,  are  light,  being  made  of  fir-wood  for  two  or  three  lengths 
nearest  to  the  hand,  and  of  other  wood  nearer  to  the  top ;  that 
a  man  might  very  easily  manage  the  longest  of  them  that  ever 
I  saw,  with  one  hand.  And  these,  when  you  have  given  over 
Angling  for  a  season,  being  taken  to  pieces,  and  laid  up  in 
some  dry  place,  may  afterwards  be  set  together  again  in  their 
former  postures,  and  will  be  as  straight,  sound,  and  good  as 
the  first  hour  they  were  made ;  and  being  laid  in  oil  and  color, 
according  to  your  Master  Walton's  direction,  will  last  many 
years. 

The  length  of  your  line,  to  a  man  that  knows  how  to  handle 
his  rod,  and  to  cast  it,  is  no  manner  of  encumbrance,  except- 
ing in  woody  places  and  in  landing  of  a  fish,  which  every  one 
that  can  afford  to  angle  for  pleasure  has  somebody  to  do  for 
him.  And  the  length  of  line  is  a  mighty  advantage  to  the 
fishing  at  distance ;  and  to  fish^ne  and  far  offy  is  the  first  and 
principal  rule  for  Trout -Angling. 

Your  line  in  this  case  should  never  be  less,  nor  ever  exceed 
two  hairs  next  to  the  hook ;  for  one  (though  some  I  know  will 
pretend  to  more  art  than  their  fellows)  is  indeed  too  few,  the 
least  accident,  with  the  finest  hand,  being  sufficient  to  break 
it ;  but  he  that  cannot  kill  a  Trout  of  twenty  inches  long  with 
two,  in  a  river  clear  of  wood  and  weeds,  as  this  and  some  other 
of  ours  are,  deserves  not  the  name  of  an  Angler. 

Now  to  have  your  whole  line  as  it  ought  to  be,  two  of  the 
first  lengths  nearest  the  hook  should  be  of  two  hairs  apiece ; 
the  next  three  lengths  above  them  of  three;  the  next  three 
above  them  of  four ;  and  so  of  five,  and  six,  and  seven,  to  the 
very  top :  by  which  means  your  rod  and  tackle  will,  in  a  man- 
ner, be  taper  firom  your  very  hand  to  your  hook ;  your  line 
will  fall  much  better  and  straighter,  and  cast  your  fly  to  any 
certaiii  place  to  which  the  hand  and  eye  shall  direct  it,  with 


Chap,  v.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  26l 

less  weight  and  violence,  than  would  otherwise  circle  the  water 
and  fright  away  the  fish. 

In  casting  your  line,  do  it  always  before  you,  and  so  that 
your  fly  may  first  fall  upon  the  water,  and  as  little  of  your  line 
with  it  as  is  possible ;  though  if  the  wind  be  stiff,  you  will  then 
of  necessity  be  compelled  to  drown  a  good  part  of  your  line  to 
keep  your  fly  in  the  water :  and  in  casting  your  fly,  you  must 
aim  at  the  further,  or  nearer  bank,  as  the  wind  serves  your 
turn;  which  also  will  be  with  and  against  you  on  the  same 
side,  several  times  in  an  hour,  as  the  river  winds  in  its  course ; 
and  you  will  be  forced  to  angle  up  and  down  by  turns  accord- 
ingly ;  but  are  to  endeavor,  as  much  as  you  can,  to  have  the 
wind  evermore  on  your  back.  Ai>d  always  be  sure  to  stand  as 
far  off  the  bank  as  your  length  will  give  you  leave  when  you 
throw  to  the  contrary  side :  though,  when  the  wind  will  not 
permit  you  so  to  do,  and  that  you  are  constrained  to  angle  on 
the  same  side  whereon  you  stand,  you  must  then  stand  on  the 
very  brink  of  the  river,  and  cast  your  fly  at  the  utmost  length 
of  your  rod  and  line,  up  or  down  the  river  as  the  gale  serves. 

It  only  remains,  touching  your  line,  to  inquire  whether  your 
two  hairs,  next  to  the  hook,  are  better  twisted,  or  open.  And 
for  that  I  should  declare  that  I  think  the  open  way  the  better, 
because  it  makes  less  show  in  the  water ;  but  that  I  have  found 
an  inconvenience,  or  two,  or  three,  that  have  made  me  almost 
weary  of  that  way :  of  which  one  is,  that,  without  dispute, 
they  are  not  so  strong  open  as  twisted ;  another,  that  they  are 
not  easily  to  be  fastened  of  so  exact  an  equal  length  in  the 
arming,  that  the  one  will  not  cause  the  other  to  bag,  by  which 
means  a  man  has  but  one  hair,  upon  the  matter,  to  trust  to ; 
and  the  last  is,  that  these  loose  flying  hairs  are  not  only  more 
apt  to  catch  upon  every  twig  or  bent  they  meet  with,  but 
moreover  the  hook,  in  falling  upon  the  water,  will  very  often 
rebound,  and  fly  back  betwixt  the  hairs,  and  there  stick, 
(which,  in  a  rough  water  especially,  is  not  presently  to  be  dis- 
cerned by  the  A.ngler,)  so  as  the  point  of  the  hook  shall  stand 


262  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  (Pakt  IL 

reversed ;  by  which  means  your  fly  swims  backwards,  makes  a 
much  greater  circle  in  the  water,  and,  till  taken  home  to  you 
and  set  right,  will  never  raise  any  fish ;  or,  if  it  should,  I  am 
sure,  but  by  a  very  extraordinary  chance,  can  hit  none. 

Having  done  with  both  these  ways  of  fishing  at  the  top,  the 
length  of  your  rod,  and  line,  and  all,  I  am  next  to  teach  you 
how  to  make  a  fly  ;  and  afterwards,  of  what  dubbing  you  are 
to  make  the  several  flies  I  shall  hereafter  name  to  you. 

In  making  a  fly,  then,  which  is  not  a  Hackle,  or  Palmer-fly, 
(for  of  those,  and  their  several  kinds,  we  shall  have  occasion 
to  speak  every  month  in  the  year,)  you  are  first  to  hold  your 
hook  fast  betwixt  the  forefinger  and  thumb  of  your  left  hand, 
with  the  back  of  the  shank  upwards,  and  the  point  towards 
your  fingers'  ends :  then  take  a  strong  small  silk  of  the  color 
of  the  fly  you  intend  to  make,  wax  it  well  with  wax  of  the 
same  color  too  :  to  which  end  you  are  always,  by  the  way,  to 
have  wax  of  all  colors  about  you ;  and  draw  it  betwixt  your 
finger  and  thumb,  to  the  head  of  the  shank,  and  then  whip  it 
twice  or  thrice  about  the  bare  hook,  which  you  must  know  is 
done,  both  to  prevent  slipping,  and  also  that  the  shank  of  the 
hook  may  not  cut  the  hairs  of  your  towght,  which  sometimes  it 
will  otherwise  do.  Which  being  done,  take  your  line  and  draw 
it  likewise  betwixt  your  finger  and  thumb,  holding  the  hook  so 
fast,  as  only  to  suffer  it  to  pass  by,  until  you  have  the  knot  of 
your  towght  almost  to  the  middle  of  the  shank  of  your  hook, 
on  the  inside  of  it ;  then  whip  your  silk  twice  or  thrice  about 
both  hook  and  line,  as  hard  as  the  strength  of  the  silk  will  per- 
mit. Which  being  done,  strip  the  feather  for  the  wings  pro- 
portionable to  the  bigness  of  your  fly,  placing  that  side  down- 
wards which  grew  uppermost  before,  upon  the  back  of  the 
hook,  leaving  so  much  only  as  to  serve  for  the  length  of  the 
wing  of  the  point  of  the  plume  lying  reversed  from  the  end  of 
the  shank  upwards  :  then  whip  your  silk  twice  or  thrice  about 
the  root-end  of  the  feather,  hook,  and  towght.  Which  bemg 
<Jone,  clip  off  the  rcx)t-^nd  of  the  feather  d(?^  by  the  arming. 


Chap.  V.J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  263 

and  then  whip  the  silk  fast  and  firm  about  the  hook  and  towght, 
until  you  come  to  the  bend  of  the  hook :  but  not  further,  as 
you  do  at  London,  and  so  make  a  very  unhandsome,  and,  in 
plain  English,  a  very  unnatural  and  shapeless  fly.  Which  be- 
ing done,  cut  away  the  end  of  your  towght,  and  fasten  it.  And 
then  take  your  dubbing  which  is  to  make  the  body  of  your  fly, 
as  much  as  you  think  convenient ;  and,  holding  it  lightly  with 
your  hock  betwixt  the  finger  and  thumb  of  your  left  hand, 
take  your  silk  with  the  right,  and  twisting  it  betwixt  the  finger 
and  thumb  of  that  hand,  the  dubbing  will  spin  itself  about  the 
silk,  which  when  it  has  done,  whip  it  about  the  armed-hook 
backward,  till  you  come  to  the  setting  on  of  the  wings.  And 
then  take  the  feather  for  the  wings,  and  divide  it  equally  into 
two  parts ;  and  turn  them  back  towards  the  end  of  the  hook, 
the  one  on  the  one  side  and  the  other  on  the  other  of  the 
shank,  holding  them  fast  in  that  posture  betwixt  the  forefinger 
and  thumb  of  your  left  hand.  Which  done,  warp  them  so 
down  as  to  stand  and  slope  towards  the  bend  of  the  hook; 
and,  having  warped  up  to  the  end  of  the  shank,  hold  the  fly 
fast  betwixt  the  finger  and  thumb  of  your  left  hand,  and  then 
take  the  silk  betwixt  the  finger  and  thumb  of  your  right  hand, 
and,  where  the  warping  ends,  pinch  or  nip  it  with  your  thumb- 
nail against  your  finger,  and  strip  away  the  remainder  of  your 
dubbing  from  the  silk ;  and  then,  with  the  bare  silk,  whip  it 
once  or  twice  about,  make  the  wings  to  stand  in  due  order, 
fasten,  and  cut  it  off":  after  which  with  the  point  of  a  needle 
raise  up  the  dubbing  gently  from  the  warp ;  twitch  off*  the 
superfluous  hairs  of  your  dubbing  ;  leave  the  wings  of  an 
equal  length, — your  fly  will  never  else  swim  true ; — and  the 
work  is  done.  And  this  way  of  making  a  fly,  which  is  cer- 
tainly the  best  of  all  other,  was  taught  me  by  a  kinsman  of 
mine,  one 'Captain  Henry  Jackson,  a  near  neighbor,  an  ad- 
mirable Fly-Angler ;  by  many  degrees  the  best  fly-maker  that 
ever  I  yet  met  with.  And  now  that  I  have  told  you  how  a  fly 
is  to  be  made,  you  shall  presently  see  me  make  one,  with  which 


264  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

you  may  perad venture  take  a  Trout  this  morning,  notwith^ 
standing  the  unhkehness  of  the  day ;  for  it  is  now  nine  of  the 
clock,  and  fish  will  begin  to  rise  if  they  will  rise  to-day.  I 
will  walk  along  by  you,  and  look  on :  and,  after  dinner,  I  will 
proceed  in  my  lecture  of  Fly-fishing. 

ViAT.  I  confess  I  long  to  be  at  the  river ;  and  yet  I  could 
sit  here  all  day  to  hear  ycu ;  but  some  of  the  one,  and  some  of 
the  other,  will  do  well :  and  I  have  a  mighty  ambition  to  take 
a  Trout  in  your  river  Dove. 

Pisc.  I  warrant  you  shall :  I  would  not  for  more  than  I  will 
speak  of  but  you  should,  seeing  I  have  so  extolled  my  river  to 
you.  Nay,  I  will  keep  you  here  a  month,  but  you  shall  have 
one  good  day  of  sport  before  you  go. 

ViAT.  You  will  find  me,  I  doubt,  too  tractable  that  way ; 
for,  in  good  earnest,  if  business  would  give  me  leave,  and  that, 
if  it  were  fit,  I  could  find  in  my  heart  to  stay  with  you  forever. 

Pisc.  I  thank  you,  Sir,  for  that  kind  expression ;  and  now 
let  me  look  out  my  things  to  make  this  fiy. 


B 


THE   SECOND  DAY. 
CHAPTER   VI. 

PiSCATOR. 

OY  !  come,  give  me  my  dubbing-bag  here  presently.  And 
now,  Sir,  since  I  find  you  so  honest  a  man,  I  will  make 
no  scruple  to  lay  open  my  treasure  before  you. 

ViAT.  Did  ever  any  one  see  the  like !  What  a  heap  of 
trumpery  is  here  !  certainly  never  an  Angler  in  Europe  has  his 
shop  half  so  well  furnished  as  you  have. 

Pisc.  You,  perhaps,  may  think  now  that  I  rake  together 
this  trumpery,  as  you  call  it,  for  show  only ;  to  the  end  that 
such  as  see  it,  which  are  not  many  I  assure  you,  may  think  me 
a  great  master  in  the  art  of  Angling;  but  let  me  tell  you  here 
are  some  colors,  as  contemptible  as  they  seem  here,  that  are 
very  hard  to  be  got ;  and  scarce  any  one  of  them,  which,  if  it 
should  be  lost,  I  should  not  miss,  and  be  concerned  about  the 
loss  of  it  too,  once  in  the  year.  But  look  you,  Sir,  amongst 
all  these  I  will  choose  out  these  two  colors  only,  of  which,  this 
is  bear's  hair,  this  darker,  no  great  matter  what :  but  I  am 
sure  I  have  killed  a  great  deal  of  fish  with  it ;  and  with  one  or 
both  of  these,  you  shall  take  Trout  or  Grayling  this  very  day, 
notwithstanding  all  disadvantages,  or  my  art  shall  fail  me. 

ViAT.  You  promise  comfortably,  and  I  have  a  great  deal  of 
reason  to  believe  everything  you  say ;  but  I  wish  the  fly  were 
made,  that  we  were  at  it. 

Pisc.  That  will  not  be  long  in  doing;  and  pray  observe 
then.  You  see  first  how  I  hold  my  hook,  and  thus  I  begin. 
Look  you,  here  are  my  first  two  or  three  whips  about  the  bare 


266  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  IPart  1L 

hook ;  thus  I  join  hook  and  line ;  thus  I  put  on  my  wings ; 
thus  I  twirl  and  lap  on  my  dubbing ;  thus  I  work  it  up  towards 
the  head ;  thus  I  part  my  wings ;  thus  I  nip  my  superfluous 
dubbing  from  my  silk  j  thus  fasten ;  thus  trim  and  adjust  my 
fly :  and  there's  a  fly  made.     And  now  how  do  you  hke  it  ? 

ViAT.  In  earnest,  admirably  well ;  and  it  perfectly  resembles 
a  fly :  but  we  about  London  make  the  bodies  of  our  flies  both 
much  bigger  and  longer, — so  long  as  even  almost  to  the  very 
beard  of  the  hook. 

Pisc.  I  know  it  very  well,  and  had  one  of  those  flies  given 
me  by  an  honest  gentleman,  who  came  with  my  Father  Walton 
to  give  me  a  visit ;  which,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  hung  in  my 
parlor  window  to  laugh  at :  but  Sir,  you  know  the  proverb, 
**  They  who  go  to  Rome  must  do  as  they  at  Rome  do  "  ;  and, 
believe  me,  you  must  here  make  your  flies  after  this  fashion,  or 
you  will  take  no  fish.  Come,  I  will  look  you  out  a  line,  and 
you  shall  put  it  on,  and  try  it.  There,  Sir,  now  I  think  you 
are  fitted ;  and  now  beyond  the  farther  end  of  the  walk  you 
shall  begin.  I  see  at  that  bend  of  the  water  above,  the  air 
crisps  the  water  a  little.  Knit  your  line  first  here,  and  then 
go  up  thither,  and  see  what  you  can  do. 

ViAT.  Did  you  see  that.  Sir  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  I  saw  the  fish,  and  he  saw  you  too,  which  made 
him  turn  short ;  you  must  fish  farther  off",  if  you  intend  to  have 
any  sport  here ;  this  is  no  New  River,  let  me  tell  you  !  That 
was  a  good  Trout,  believe  me ;  did  you  touch  him  ? 

ViAT.  No,  I  would  I  had,  we  would  not  have  parted  so ! 
Look  you,  there  was  another  !     This  is  an  excellent  fly  ! 

Pisc.  That  fly,  I  am  sure,  would  kill  fish,  if  the  day  were 
right ;  but  they  only  chew  at  it,  I  see,  and  will  not  take  it. 
Come,  Sir,  let  us  return  back  to  the  fishing-house;  this  still 
water  I  see  will  not  do  our  business  to-day.  You  shall  now, 
if  you  please,  make  a  fly  yourself,  and  try  what  you  can  do  in 
the  streams  with  that ;  and  I  know  a  Trout  taken  with  a  fly  of 
your  own  making  will  please  you  better  than  twenty  with  one 


Chap.  VI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  267 

of  mine.  Give  me  that  bag  again,  Sirrah.  Look  you,  Sir, 
there  is  a  hook,  tovvght,  silk,  and  a  feather  for  the  wings :  be 
doing  with  those,  and  I  will  look  you  out  a  dubbing  that  I 
think  will  do. 

ViAT.  This  is  a  very  httle  hook. 

Pisc.  That  may  serve  to  inform  you,  that  it  is  for  a  very 
little  fly,  and  you  must  make  .your  wings  accordingly ;  for  as 
the  case  stands  it  must  be  a  little  fly,  and  a  very  little  one  too, 
that  must  do  your  business.  Well  said  !  believe  me  you  shift 
your  fingers  very  handsomely :  I  doubt  I  have  taken  upon  me 
to  teach  my  master.     So,  here  's  your  dubbing  now. 

ViAT.  This  dubbing  is  very  black. 

Pisc.  It  appears  so  in  hand,  but  step  to  the  door  and  hold  it 
up  betwixt  your  eye  and  the  sun,  and  it  will  appear  a  shining 
red :  let  me  tell  you,  never  a  man  in  England  can  discern  the 
true  color  of  a  dubbing  any  way  but  that ;  and  therefore  choose 
always  to  make  your  flies  on  such  a  bright  sunshine  day  as  this, 
which  also  you  may  the  better  do,  because  it  is  worth  nothing 
to  fish  in.  Here,  put  it  on  ;  and  be  sure  to  make  the  body  of 
your  fly  as  slender  as  you  can.  Very  good  !  Upon  my  word 
you  have  made  a  marvellous  handsome  fly. 

ViAT.  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it;  't  is  the  first  that  ever  I 
made  of  this  kind  in  my  life. 

Pisc.  Away,  away  !  You  are  a  doctor  at  it :  but  I  will  not 
commend  you  too  much,  lest  I  make  you  proud.  Come,  put 
it  on,  and  you  shall  now  go  downward  to  some  streams  betwixt 
'the  rocks  below  the  little  foot-bridge  you  see  there,  and  try  your 
fortune.  Take  heed  of  slipping  into  the  water  as  you  follow  me 
under  this  rock.     So,  now  you  are  over,  and  now  throw  in. 

ViAT.  This  is  a  fine  stream  indeed  !  There  's  one !  I  have 
him. 

Pisc.  And  a  precious  catch  you  have  of  him  ;  pull  him  out ! 
I  see  you  have  a  tender  hand.  This  is  a  diminutive  gentleman, 
e'en  throw  him  in  again,  and  let  him  grow  till  he  be  more 
worthy  your  anger. 


268  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  t^ART  11. 

ViAT.  Pardon  me,  Sir,  all  's  fish  that  comes  to  the  hook  with 
me  now.     Another ! 

Pisc.  And  of  the  same  standing. 

ViAT.  I  see  I  shall  have  good  sport  now.  Another  !  and  a 
Grayling.     Why,  you  have  fish  here  at  will. 

Pisc.  Come,  come,  cross  the  bridge,  and  go  down  the  other 
side,  lower ;  where  you  will  find  finer  streams,  and  better  sport, 
I  hope,  than  this.  Look  you,  Sir,  here  is  a  fine  stream  now. 
You  have  length  enough,  stand  a  little  farther  off,  let  me  entreat 
you ;  and  do  but  fish  this  stream  like  an  artist,  and  peradventure 
a  good  fish  may  fall  to  your  share.  How  now  !  What,  is  all 
gone? 

ViAT.  No,  I  but  touched  him ;  but  that  was  a  fish  worth 
taking. 

Pisc.  Why  now,  let  me  tell  you,  you  lost  that  fish  by  your 
own  fault,  and  through  your  own  eagerness  and  haste  j  for  you 
are  never  to  offer  to  strike  a  good  fish,  if  he  do  not  strike  him- 
self, till  first  you  see  him  turn  his  head  after  he  has  taken  your 
fly ;  and  then  you  can  never  strain  your  tackle  in  the  striking, 
if  you  strike  with  any  manner  of  moderation.  Come,  throw  in 
once  again,  and  fish  me  this  stream  by  inches ;  for  I  assure  you 
here  are  very  good  fish :  both  Trout  and  Grayling  lie  here ;  and 
at  that  great  stone  on  the  other  side,  't  is  ten  to  one  a  good 
Trout  gives  you  the  meeting. 

ViAT.  I  have  him  now,  but  he  has  gone  down  towards  the 
bottom.  I  cannot  see  what  he  is,  yet  he  should  be  a  good  fish 
by  his  weight :  but  he  makes  no  great  stir. 

Pisc.  Why  then,  by  what  you  say,  I  dare  venture  to  assure 
you  't  is  a  Grayling,  who  is  one  of  the  deadest-hearted  fishes  in 
the  world ;  and  the  bigger  he  is,  the  more  easily  taken.  Look 
you,  now  you  see  him  plain ;  I  told  you  what  he  was.  Bring 
hither  that  landing-net.  Boy.  And  now,  Sir,  he  is  your  own ; 
and  believe  me  a  good  one,  sixteen  inches  long  I  warrant  him ; 
I  have  taken  none  such  this  year. 

ViAT.  I  never  saw  a  Grayling  before  look  so  black. 


Chap.  VI.]  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  269 

Pisc.  Did  you  not  ?  Why  then,  let  me  tell  you,  that  you 
never  saw  one  before  in  right  season ;  for  then  a  Grayling  is 
very  black  about  his  head,  gills,  and  down  his  back ;  and  has 
his  belly  of  a  dark  gray,  dappled  with  black  spots,  as  you  see 
this  is ;  and  I  am  apt  to  conclude,  that  from  thence  he  derives 
his  name  of  Umber.  Though  I  must  tell  you  this  fish  is  past 
his  prime,  and  begins  to  decline,  and  was  in  better  season  at 
Christmas  than  he  is  now.  But  move  on,  for  it  grows  towards 
dinner-time ;  and  there  is  a  very  great  and  fine  stream  below, 
under  that  rock,  that  fills  the  deepest  pool  in  all  the  river,  where 
you  are  almost  sure  of  a  good  fish. 

ViAT.  Let  him  come,  I  '11  try  a  fall  with  him.  But  I  had 
thought  that  the  Grayling  had  been  always  in  season  with  the 
Trout,  and  had  come  in  and  gone  out  with  him. 

Pisc.  O  no  !  assure  yourself  a  Grayling  is  a  winter-fish ;  but 
such  a  one  as  would  deceive  any  but  such  as  know  him  very 
well  indeed ;  for  his  flesh,  even  in  his  worst  season,  is  so  firm, 
and  will  so  easily  calver,  that  in  plain  truth  he  is  very  good 
meat  at  all  times ;  but  in  his  perfect  season,  which,  by  the  way, 
none  but  an  overgrown  Grayling  will  ever  be,  I  think  him  so 
good  a  fish  as  to  be  little  inferior  to  the  best  Trout  that  ever  I 
tasted  in  my  life. 

ViAT.  Here  's  another  skip-jack ;  and  I  have  raised  five  or 
six  more  at  least  whilst  you  were  speaking.  Well,  go  thy  way, 
little  Dove !  thou  art  the  finest  river  that  ever  I  saw,  and  the 
fullest  of  fish.  Indeed,  Sir,  I  like  it  so  well,  that  I  am  afraid 
you  will  be  troubled  with  me  once  a  year,  so  long  as  we  two 
live. 

Pisc.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  not.  Sir ;  but  were  you  once  here  a 
May  or  a  June,  if  good  sport  would  tempt  you,  I  should  then 
expect  you  would  sometimes  see  me ;  for  you  would  then  say  it 
were  a  fine  river  indeed,  if  you  had  once  seen  the  sport  at  the 
height. 

ViAT.  Which  I  will  do,  if  I  live,  and  that  you  please  to  give 
me  leave.     There  was  one  j  and  there  another. 


270  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Fa^t  li. 

Pisc.  And  all  this  in  a  strange  river,  and  with  a  fly  of  your 
own  making  !     Why,  what  a  dangerous  man  are  you  ! 

ViAT.  I,  Sir,  but  who  taught  me  ?  and  as  Damoetas  says  by 
his  man  Doras,  so  you  may  say  by  me, — 

"  If  my  man  such  praises  have, 
What  then  have  I,  that  taught  the  knave  ?  " 

But  what  have  we  got  here?  A  rock  springing  up  in  the 
middle  of  the  river  !  this  is  one  of  the  oddest  sights  that  ever  I 
saw. 

Pisc.  Why,  Sir,  from  that  Pike,*  that  you  see  standing  up 
there  distant  from  the  rock,  this  is  called  Pike-Pool.  And 
young  Mr.  Izaak  Walton  was  so  pleased  with  it,  as  to  draw  it 
in  landscape  in  black  and  white,  in  a  blank  book  I  have  at 
home ;  as  he  has  done  several  prospects  of  my  house  also, 
which  I  keep  for  a  memorial  of  his  favor,  and  will  show  you, 
when  we  come  up  to  dinner. 

ViAT.  Has  young  Master  Izaak  Walton  been  here  too  ? 

Pisc.  Yes,  marry  has  he.  Sir,  and  that  again,  and  again  too ; 
and  in  France  since,  and  at  Rome,  and  at  Venice,  and  I  can't 
tell  where ;  but  I  intend  to  ask  him  a  great  many  hard  ques- 
tions so  soon  as  I  can  see  him,  which  will  be,  God  willing, 
next  month.  In  the  mean  time,  Sir,  to  come  to  this  fine 
stream  at  the  head  of  this  great  pool,  you  must  venture  over 
these  slippery,  cobbling  stones.  Believe  me,  Sir,  there  you 
were  nimble,  or  else  you  had  been  down  !  But  now  you  are  got 
over,  look  to  yourself;  for,  on  my  word,  if  a  fish  rise  here,  he 

*'T  is  a  rock  in  the  fashion  of  a  spire-steeple,  and  almost  as  big.  It  stands 
in  the  midst  of  the  river  Dove  and  not  far  from  Mr.  Cotton's  house  ;  below 
which  place  this  delicate  river  takes  a  swift  career  betwixt  many  mighty 
rocks,  much  higher  and  bigger  than  St.  Paul's  Church,  before  't  was  burnt. 
And  this  Dove,  being  opposed  by  one  of  the  highest  of  them,  has  at  last 
forced  itself  a  way  through  it  ;  and,  after  a  mile's  concealment,  appears  again 
with  more  glory  and  beauty  than  before  that  opposition,  running  through  the 
most  pleasant  valleys  and  most  fruitful  meadows  that  this  nation  can  justly 
boast  of. 


Chap.  VI.1  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  2/1 

is  like  to  be  such  a  one  as  will  endanger  your  tackle.     How 
now  ! 

ViAT.  I  think  you  have  such  command  here  over  the  fishes, 
that  you  can  raise  them  by  your  word,  as  they  say  conjurors 
can  do  spirits,  and  afterward  make  them  do  what  you  bid 
them ;  for  here  's  a  Trout  has  taken  my  fly ;  I  had  rather  have 
lost  a  crown.  What  luck  's  this  !  He  was  a  lovely  fish,  and 
turned  up  a  side  like  a  salmon  ! 

Pisc.  O  Sir,  this  is  a  war  where  you  sometimes  win,  and 
must  sometimes  expect  to  lose.  Never  concern  yourself  for  the 
loss  of  your  fly ;  for  ten  to  one  I  teach  you  to  make  a  better. 
Who  's  that  calls  ? 

Servant.  Sir,  will  it  please  you  to  come  to  dinner  ? 

Pisc.  We  come.  You  hear,  Sir,  we  are  called ;  and  now 
take  your  choice,  whether  you  will  climb  this  steep  hill  before 
you,  from  the  top  of  which  you  will  go  directly  into  the  house, 
or  back  again  over  these  stepping-stones,  and  about  by  the 
bridge. 

ViAT.  Nay,  sure  the  nearest  way  is  best ;  at  least  my  stomach 
tells  me  so ;  and  I  am  now  so  well  acquainted  with  your  rocks, 
that  I  fear  them  not. 

Pisc.  Come,  then,  follow  me;  and  so  soon  as  we  have 
dined,  we  will  down  again  to  the  little  house,  where  I  will 
begin  at  the  place  I  left  off"  about  fly-fishing,  and  read  you  an- 
other lecture ;  for  I  have  a  great  deal  more  to  say  upon  that 
subject. 

ViAT.  The  more  the  better ;  I  could  never  have  met  with  a 
more  obliging  master,  my  first  excepted ;  nor  such  sport  can 
all  the  rivers  about  London  ever  afl'ord  as  is  to  be  found  in  this 
pretty  river. 

Pisc.  You  deserve  to  have  better,  both  because  I  see  you 
are  willing  to  take  pains,  and  for  liking  this  little  so  well ;  and 
better  I  hope  to  show  you  before  we  part. 


THE   SECOND    DAY. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Viator. 

A^OME,  Sir  I  having  now  well  dined,  and  being  again  set  m 
^-^  your  little  house,  I  will  now  challenge  your  promise,  and 
entreat  you  to  proceed  in  your  instruction  for  Fly-fishing; 
which,  that  you  may  be  the  better  encouraged  to  do,  I  will  as- 
sure you  that  I  have  not  lost,  I  think,  one  syllable  of  what  you 
have  told  me ;  but  very  well  retain  all  your  directions  both  for 
the  rod,  line,  and  making  a  fly,  and  now  desire  an  account  of 
the  flies  themselves. 

Pisc.  Why,  Sir,  I  am  ready  to  give  it  you,  .and  shall  have 
the  whole  afternoon  to  do  it  in,  if  nobody  come  in  to  inter- 
rupt us  ;  for  you  must  know,  besides  the  unfitness  of  the  day, 
that  the  afternoons  so  early  in  March  signify  very  little  to  an- 
gling with  a  fly ;  though  with  a  minnow,  or  a  worm,  something 
might,  I  confess,  be  done. 

To  begin  then  where  I  left  off".  My  Father  Walton  tells  us 
but  of  twelve  artificial-flies,  to  angle  with  at  the  top,  and  gives 
their  names :  of  which  some  are  common  with  us  here ;  and  I 
think  I  guess  at  most  of  them  by  his  description,  and  I  believe 
they  all  breed,  and  are  taken  in  our  rivers,  though  we  do  not 
make  them  either  of  the  same  dubbing,  or  fashion.  And  it 
may  be  in  the  rivers  about  London,  which  I  presume  he  has 
most  frequented,  and  where 't  is  likely  he  has  done  most  execu- 
tion, there  is  not  much  notice  taken  of  many  more ;  but  we 
are  acquainted  with  several  others  here,  though,  perhaps,  I 
may  reckon  some  of  his  by  other  names  too ;  but  if  I  do,  I 


Chap.  VII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  273 

shall  make  you  amends  by  an  addition  to  his  catalogue.  And 
although  the  forenamed  great  Master  in  the  art  of  Angling,  for 
so  in  truth  he  is,  tells  you  that  no  man  should  in  honesty  catch 
a  Trout  till  the  middle  of  March,  yet  I  hope  he  will  give  a 
man  leave  sooner  to  take  a  Grayling ;  which,  as  I  told  you,  is 
in  the  dead  months  in  his  best  season ;  and  do  assure  you, 
which  I  remember  by  a  very  remarkable  token,  I  did  once 
take  upon  the  sixth  day  of  December  one,  and  only  one,  of  the 
biggest  Graylings,  and  the  best  in  season,  that  ever  I  yet  saw, 
or  tasted ;  and  do  usually  take  Trouts  too,  and  with  a  fly,  not 
only  before  the  middle  of  this  month,  but  almost  every  year  in 
February,  unless  it  be  a  very  ill  spring  indeed  ;  and  have  some- 
times in  January,  so  early  as  New-year's-tide,  and  in  frost  and 
snow,  taken  Grayling  in  a  warm  sunshine  day  for  an  hour  or 
two  about  noon ;  and  to  fish  for  him  with  a  grub  it  is  then  the 
best  time  of  all. 

I  shall  therefore  begin  my  fly-fishing  with  that  month, 
(though  I  confess  very  few  begin  so  soon,  and  that  such  as  are 
so  fond  of  the  sport  as  to  embrace  all  opportunities,  can  rarely 
in  that  month  find  a  day  fit  for  their  purpose,)  and  tell  you 
that,  upon  my  knowledge,  these  flies  in  a  warm  sun,  for  an 
hour  or  two  in  the  day,  are  certainly  taken. 

JANUARY. 

1.  A  Red  Brown,  with  wings  of  the  male  of  a  mallard,  al- 
most white ;  the  dubbing,  of  the  tail  of  a  black  long-coated 
cur,  such  as  they  commonly  make  muffs  of;  for  the  hair  on 
the  tail  of  such  a  dog  dyes  and  turns  to  a  red  brown,  but  the 
hair  of  a  smooth-coated  dog  of  the  same  color  will  not  do,  be- 
cause it  will  not  dye,  but  retains  its  natural  color.  And  this 
fly  is  taken,  in  a  warm  sun,  this  whole  month  through. 

2.  There  is  also  a  very  little  Bright-Dun  Gnat,  as  little  as 
can  possibly  be  made,  so  little  as  never  to  be  fished  with,  with 
^bove  one  hair  next  the  hook :  and  this  is  to  be  made  of  a 


af4  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

mixed  dubbing  of  marten's  fur,  and  the  white  of  a  hare's-sout ; 
with  a  very  white  and  small  wing.  And  't  is  no  great  matter 
how  fine  you  fish,  for  nothing  will  rise  in  this  month  but  a 
Grayling ;  and  of  them  I  never,  at  this  season,  saw  any  taken 
with  a  fly,  of  above  a  foot  long,  in  my  life ;  but  of  Httle  ones, 
about  the  bigness  of  a  smelt,  in  a  warm  day  and  a  glowing  sun, 
you  may  take  enough  with  these  two  flies ;  and  they  are  both 
taken  the  whole  month  through. 

FEBRUARY. 

1 .  Where  the  Red  Brown  of  the  last  month  ends,  another, 
almost  of  the  same  color,  begins  with  this ;  saving,  that  the 
dubbing  of  this  must  be  of  something  a  blacker  color,  and  both 
of  them  warpt  on  with  red  silk.  The  dubbing  that  should 
make  this  fly,  and  that  is  the  truest  color,  is  to  be  got  off  the 
black  spot  of  a  hog's  ear :  not  that  a  black  spot  in  any  part  of 
the  hog  will  not  aff"ord  the  same  color,  but  that  the  hair  in  that 
place  is  by  many  degrees  softer,  and  more  fit  for  the  purpose : 
his  wing  must  be  as  the  other ;  and  this  kills  all  this  month, 
and  is  called  the  Lesser  Red-Brown. 

2.  This  month  also  a  Plain  Hackle,  or  Palmer-fly,  made 
with  a  rough  black  body,  either  of  black  spaniel's  fur,  or  the 
whirl  of  an  ostrich-feather,  and  the  red  hackle  of  a  capon  over 
all,  will  kill  j  and,  if  the  weather  be  right,  make  very  good 
sport. 

3.  Also  a  Lesser  Hackle  with  a  black  body  also,  silver- 
twist  over  that,  and  a  red  feather  over  all,  will  fill  your  pan- 
nier, if  the  month  be  open,  and  not  bound  up  in  ice,  and  snow, 
with  very  good  fish ;  but  in  case  of  a  frost  and  snow,  you  are 
to  angle  only  with  the  smallest  gnats,  browns,  and  duns,  you 
can  make ;  and  with  those  are  only  to  expect  Graylings  no 
bigger  than  sprats. 

4.  In  this  month,  upon  a  whirling  round  water,  we  have  a 
Grieat  Hackle  ^   the  body  black,  and  wrapped  with  a  red 


Chap.  VII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  2/5 

feather  of  a  capon  untrimmed ;  that  is,  the  whole  length  of  the 
hackle  staring  out  (for  we  sometimes  barb  the  Hackle- feather 
short  all  over,  sometimes  barb  it  only  a  little,  and  sometimes 
barb  it  close  underneath) ;  leaving  the  whole  length  of  the 
feather  on  the  top  or  back  of  the  fly,  which  makes  it  swim 
better,  and,  as  occasion  serves,  kills  very  great  fish. 

5.  We  make  use  also,  in  this  month,  of  another  Great 
Hackle  ;  the  body  black,  and  ribbed  over  with  gold  twist,  and 
a  red  feather  over  all ;  which  also  does  great  execution. 

6.  Also  a  Great  Dun,  made  with  dun  bear's  hair,  and  the 
wings  of  the  gray  feather  of  a  mallard  near  unto  his  tail ;  which 
is  absolutely  the  best  fly  can  be  thrown  upon  a  river  this  month, 
and  with  which  an  angler  shall  have  admirable  sport. 

7.  We  have  also  this  month  the  Gi^eat  Blue  Dun  ;  the 
dubbing  of  the  bottom  of  bear's  hair  next  to  the  roots  mixed 
with  a  little  blue  camlet ;  the  wings  of  the  dark  gray  feather  of 
a  mallard. 

8.  We  have  also  this  month  a  Dark  Brown  ;  the  dubbing 
of  a  brown  hair  off"  the  flank  of  a  brended  cow,  and  the  wi«igs 
of  the  gray  drake's  feather. 

And  note,  that  these  several  Hackles,  or  Palmer-flies,  are 
some  for  one  water  and  one  sky,  and  some  for  another ;  and, 
according  to  the  change  of  those,  we  alter  their  size  and  color. 
And  note  also,  that  both  in  this,  and  all  other  months  of  the 
year,  when  you  do  not  certainly  know  what  fly  is  taken,  or 
cannot  see  any  fish  to  rise,  you  are  then  to  put  on  a  small 
Hackle,  if  the  water  be  clear,  or  a  bigger,  if  something  dark, 
until  you  have  taken  one;  and  then,  thrusting  your  finger 
through  his  gills,  to  pull  out  his  gorge,  which  being  opened 
with  your  knife,  you  will  then  discover  what  fly  is  taken,  and 
may  fit  yourself  accordingly. 

For  the  making  of  a  Hackle,  or  Palmer-fly,  my  Father  Wal- 
ton has  already  given  you  sufficient  direction. 


276  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II 


MARCH. 

For  this  month  you  are  to  use  all  the  same  Hackles,  and  flies 
with  the  other ;  but  you  are  to  make  them  less. 

1.  We  have  besides  for  this  month,  a  little  Dun  called  a 
Whirling-Dun,  though  it  is  not  the  Whirling-Dun  indeed, 
which  is  one  of  the  best  flies  we  have ;  and  for  this  the  dubbing 
must  be  of  the  bottom  fur  of  a  squirrel's  tail,  and  the  wing  of 
the  gray  feather  of  a  drake. 

2.  Also  a  Bright  Brown  ;  the  dubbing  either  of  the  brown 
of  a  spaniel,  or  that  of  a  cow's  flank,  with  a  gray  wing. 

3.  Also  a  Whitish  Dun,  made  of  the  roots  of  camel's  hair, 
and  the  wings  of  the  gray  feather  of  a  mallard. 

4.  There  is  also  for  this  month  a  fly,  called  the  Thorn-Tree 
Fly  ;  the  dubbing  an  absolute  black,  mixed  with  eight  or  ten 
hairs  of  Isabella-colored  mohair,  the  body  as  little  as  can  be 
made,  and  the  wings  of  a  bright  mallard's  feather :  an  admi- 
rable fly,  and  in  great  repute  amongst  us  for  a  killer. 

5.  There  is,  besides  this,  another  Blue  Dun,  the  dubbing 
of  which  it  is  made  being  thus  to  be  got.  Take  a  small-tooth 
comb,  and  with  it  comb  the  neck  of  a  black  greyhound,  and 
the  down  that  sticks  in  the  teeth  will  be  the  finest  blue  that 
ever  you  saw.  The  wings  of  this  fly  can  hardly  be  too  white ; 
and  he  is  taken  about  the  tenth  of  this  month,  and  lasteth  till 
the  four-and-twentieth. 

6.  From  the  tenth  of  this  month  also,  till  towards  the  end, 
is  taken  a  little  Black  Gnat  :  the  dubbing  either  of  the  fur  of 
a  black  water-dog,  or  the  down  of  a  young  black  water-coot ; 
the  wings  of  the  male  of  a  mallard,  as  white  as  may  be ;  the 
body  as  little  as  you  can  possibly  make  it,  and  the  wings  as 
short  as  his  body. 

7.  From  the  sixteenth  of  this  month  also,  to  the  end  of  it, 
we  use  a  Bright  Brown  ;  the  dubbing  for  which  is  to  be 
had  out  of  a  skinner's  lime-pits,  and  of  the  hair  of  an  abortive 


Chap.  VII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  2^^ 

calf,  which  the  lime  will  turn  to  be  so  bright  as  to  shine  hke 
gold ;  for  the  wings  of  this  fly,  the  feather  of  a  brown  hen  is 
best ;  which  fly  is  also  taken  till  the  tenth  of  ApriL 


APRIL. 

All  the  same  Hackles  and  flies  that  were  taken  in  March  will 
be  taken  in  this  month  also ;  with  this  distinction  only  con- 
cerning the  flies,  that  all  the  browns  be  lapped  with  red  silk, 
and  the  duns  with  yellow. 

1.  To  these  a  Small  Bright  Brown,  made  of  spaniel's  fur, 
with  a  light  gray  wing,  in  a  bright  day  and  a  clear  water,  is 
very  well  taken. 

2.  We  have  too  a  little  Dark  Brown  ;  the  dubbing  of  that 
color,  and  some  violet  camlet  mixed,  and  the  wing  of  a  gray 
feather  of  a  mallard. 

3.  From  the  sixth  of  this  month  to  the  tenth,  we  have  also 
a  fly  called  the  Violet-Fly  ;  made  of  a  dark  violet  stuff,  with 
the  wings  of  the  gray  feather  of  a  mallard. 

4.  About  the  twelfth  of  this  month  comes  in  the  fly  called 
the  Whirling-Dun,  which  is  taken  every  day,  about  the  mid- 
time  of  day,  all  this  month  through,  and  by  fits  from  thence 
to  the  end  of  June ;  and  is  commonly  made  of  the  down  of  a 
fox-cub,  which  is  of  an  ash  color  at  the  roots,  next  the  skin, 
and  ribbed  about  with  yellow  silk  j  the  wings  of  the  pale  gray 
feather  of  a  mallard. 

5.  There  is  also  a  Yellow  Dun;  the  dubbing  of  camel's 
hair,  and  yellow  camlet  or  wool,  mixed,  and  a  white-gray 
wing. 

6.  There  is  also,  this  month,  another  Little  Brown,  be- 
sides that  mentioned  before ;  made  with  a  very  slender  body, 
the  dubbing  of  dark  brown,  and  violet  camlet  mixed,  and  a 
gray  wing ;  which,  though  the  direction  for  the  making  be 
near  the  other,  is  yet  another  fly ;  and  will  take  when  the  other 
will  not,  especially  in  a  bright  day,  and  a  clear  water. 


2/8  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

7.  About  the  twentieth  of  this  month  comes  m  a  fly  called 
the  Horse-flesh  Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  which  is  a  blue  mohair, 
with  pink -colored  and  red  tammy  mixed,  a  light-colored  wing, 
and  a  dark  brown  head.  This  fly  is  taken  best  in  an  evening, 
and  kills  from  two  hours  before  sunset  till  twilight;  and  is 
taken  the  month  through. 

MAY. 

And  now.  Sir,  that  we  are  entering  into  the  month  of  May, 
I  think  it  requisite  to  beg  not  only  your  attention,  but  also 
your  best  patience ;  for  I  must  now  be  a  little  tedious  with 
you,  and  dwell  upon  this  month  longer  than  ordinary ;  which 
that  you  may  the  better  endure,  I  must  tell  you,  this  month 
deserves  and  requires  to  be  insisted  on,  forasmuch  as  it  alone, 
and  the  next  following,  aflbrd  more  pleasure  to  the  Fly- Angler 
than  all  the  rest.  And  here  it  is  that  you  are  to  expect  an 
account  of  the  Green-Drake,  and  Stone-fly,  promised  you  so 
long  ago,  and  some  others  that  are  peculiar  to  this  month,  and 
part  of  the  month  following;  and  that,  though  not  so  great 
either  in  bulk  or  name,  do  yet  stand  in  competition  with  the 
two  before  named ;  and  so,  that  it  is  yet  undecided,  amongst 
the  anglers,  to  which  of  the  pretenders  to  the  title  of  the  May- 
fly it  does  properly  and  duly  belong.  Neither  dare  I,  where 
so  many  of  the  learned  in  this  art  of  Anghng  are  got  in  dispute 
about  the  controversy,  take  upon  me  to  determine ;  but  I  think 
I  ought  to  have  a  vote  amongst  them,  and  according  to  that 
privilege  shall  give  you  my  free  opinion ;  and  peradventure 
when  I  have  told  you  all,  you  may  incline  to  think  me  in  the 
right. 

ViAT.  I  have  so  great  a  deference  to  your  judgment  in  these 
matters,  that  I  must  always  be  of  your  opinion ;  and  the  more 
you  speak,  the  faster  I  grow  to  my  attention,  for  I  can  never 
be  weary  of  hearing  you  upon  this  subject. 

Pisc.  Why  that 's  encouragement  enough  ;  and  now  prepare 
yourself  fpr  9,  tedious  lecture  j  but  I  will  first  begin  with  the 


Chap.  VI1.1  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  2/9 

flies  of  less  esteem, — though  almost  anything  will  take  a  Trout 
in  May, — that  I  may  afterwards  insist  the  longer  upon  those  of 
greater  note  and  reputation.  Know,  therefore,  that  the  first 
fly  we  take  notice  of  in  this  month,  is  called 

1.  The  Turkey-Fly;  dubbing  ravelled  out  of  some  blue 
stuff,  and  lapped  about  with  yellow  silk ;  the  wings  of  a  gray 
mallard's  feather. 

2.  Next  a  Great  Hackle  or  Palmer-Fly,  with  a  yellow 
BODY ;  ribbed  with  gold  twist,  and  large  wings  of  a  mallard's 
feather  dyed  yellow,  with  a  red  capon's  hackle  over  all. 

3.  Then  a  Black  Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  a  black  spaniel's  fur, 
and  the  wings  of  a  gray  mallard's  feather. 

4.  After  that  a  Light  Brown,  with  a  slender  body;  the 
dubbing  twirled  upon  small  red  silk,  and  raised  with  the  point 
of  a  needle,  that  the  ribs  or  rows  of  silk  may  appear  through; 
the  wings  of  the  gray  feather  of  a  mallard. 

5.  Next  a  Little  Dun  ;  the  dubbing  of  a  bear's  dun  whirled 
upon  yellow  silk,  the  wings  of  the  gray  feather  of  a  mallard. 

6.  Then  a  White  Gnat,  with  a  pale  wing,  and  a  black 
head. 

7.  There  is  also  this  month  a  fly  called  the  Peacock-Fly; 
the  body  made  of  a  whirl  of  a  peacock's,  feather,  with  a  red 
head,  and  wings  of  a  mallard's  feather. 

8.  We  have  then  another  very  killing  fly,  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Dun-Cut  ;  the  dubbing  of  which  is  a  bear's  dun, 
with  a  little  blue  and  yellow  mixed  with  it,  a  large  dun  wing, 
and  two  horns  at  the  head,  made  of  the  hairs  of  a  squirrel's 
tail. 

9.  The  next  is  the  Cow-Lady,  a  little  fly ;  the  body  of  a 
peacock's  feather,  the  wing  of  a  red  feather,  or  strips  of  the  red 
hackle  of  a  cock. 

10.  We  have  then  the  Cow-Dung  Fly  ;  the  dubbing  light- 
brown  and  yellow  mixed,  the  wing  the  dark  gray  feather  of  a 
mallard.  And  note,  that  besides  these  above  mentioned,  all 
the  same  Hackles  and  flies,  the  Hackles  only  brighter,  and  the 


280  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

flies  smaller,  that  are  taken  in  April,  will  also  be  taken  this 
month,  as  also  all  Browns  and  Duns.  And  now  I  come  to  my 
Stone-Fly,  and  Green-Drake,  which  are  the  Matadores  for 
Trout  and  GrayHng;  and,  in  their  season,  kill  more  fish  in 
our  Derbyshire  rivers  than  all  the  rest,  past  and  to  come,  in 
the  whole  year  besides. 

But  first  I  am  to  tell  you,  that  we  have  four  severaJ  flies 
which  contend  for  the  title  of  the  May-fly :  namely. 

The  Green-Drake, 

The  Stone-Fly, 

The  Black-Fly,  and 

The  Little  Yellow  May-Fly. 

And  all  these  have  their  champions  and  advocates  to  dispute, 
and  plead  their  priority ;  though  I  do  not  understand  why  the 
two  last  named  should,  the  first  two  having  so  manifestly  the 
advantage,  both  in  their  beauty,  and  the  wonderful  execution 
they  do  in  their  season. 

II.  Of  these,  the  Green-Drake  comes  in  about  the  twenti- 
eth of  this  month,  or  betwixt  that  and  the  latter  end,  for  they 
are  sometimes  sooner,  and  sometimes  later,  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  year ;  but  never  well  taken  till  towards  the  end 
of  this  month,  and  the  beginning  of  June.  The  Stone-Fly 
comes  much  sooner,  so  early  as  the  middle  of  April ;  but  is  never 
well  taken  till  towards  the  middle  of  May,  and  continues  to 
kill  much  longer  than  the  Green-Drake  stays  with  us, — so  long 
as  to  the  end  almost  of  June ;  and  indeed,  so  long  as  there  are 
any  of  them  to  be  seen  upon  the  water ;  and  sometimes  in  an 
artificial  fly,  and  late  at  night,  or  before  sunrise  in  a  morning, 
longer. 

Now  both  these  flies,  and,  I  believe,  many  others,  though  I 
think  not  all,  are  certainly  and  demonstratively  bred  in  the 
very  rivers  where  they  are  taken :  our  Cadis  or  Cod-bait, 
which  lie  under  stones  in  the  bottom  of  the  water,  most  of 
them  turning  into  those  two  flies ;  and,  being  gathered  in  the 


Chap.  VII J  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  28 1 

husk,  or  crust,  near  the  time  of  their  maturity,  are  very  easily 
known  and  distinguished ;  and  are  of  all  other  the  most  re- 
markable, both  for  their  size,  as  being  of  all  other  the  biggest, 
the  shortest  of  them  being  a  full  inch  long,  or  more,  and  for 
the  execution  they  do,  the  Trout  and  Grayling  being  much 
more  greedy  of  them  than  of  any  others ;  and  indeed,  the  Trout 
never  feeds  fat,  nor  comes  into  his  perfect  season,  till  these  flies 
come  in. 

Of  these,  the  Green-Drake  never  discloses  from  his  husk,  till 
he  be  first  there  grown  to  full  maturity,  body,  wings,  and  all ; 
and  then  he  creeps  out  of  his  cell,  but  with,  his  wings  so 
crimped  and  ruffled,  by  being  pressed  together  in  that  narrow 
room,  that  they  are,  for  some  hours,  totally  useless  to  him ;  by 
which  means  he  is  compelled  either  to  creep  upon  the  flags, 
sedges,  and  blades  of  grass,  if  his  first  rising  from  the  bottom 
of  the  water  be  near  the  banks  of  the  river,  till  the  air  and  sun 
stiffen  and  smooth  them ;  or,  if  his  first  appearance  above  water 
happen  to  be  in  the  middle,  he  then  lies  upon  the  surface  of 
the  water  like  a  ship  at  hull ;  for  his  feet  are  totally  useless  to 
him  there,  and  he  cannot  creep  upon  the  water  as  the  Stone- 
fly  can,  until  his  wings  have  got  stiffness  to  fly  with,  if  by  some 
Trout  or  Grayling  he  be  not  taken  in  the  interim,  which  ten  to 
one  he  is ;  and  then  his  wings  stand  high,  and  closed  exact 
upon  his  back,  like  the  butterfly,  and  his  motion  in  flying  is 
the  same.  His  body  is,  in  some,  of  a  paler,  in  others,  of  a 
darker  yellow,  for  they  are  not  all  exactly  of  a  color ;  ribbed 
with  rows  of  green,  long,  slender,  and  growing  sharp  towards 
the  tail,  at  the  end  of  which  he  has  three  long  small  whisks  of 
a  very  dark  color,  almost  black,  and  his  tail  turns  up  towards 
his  back  like  a  mallard ;  from  whence,  questionless,  he  has  his 
name  of  the  Green-Drake.  These,  as  I  think  I  told  you  before, 
we  commonly  dape  or  dibble  with ;  and,  having  gathered  great 
store  of  them  into  a  long  draw-box,  with  holes  in  the  cover  to 
give  them  air,  where  also  they  will  continue  fresh  and  vigorous 
a  night  or  more,  we  take  them  out  thence  by  the  wings,  and 


282  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

bait  them  thus  upon  the  hook.  We  first  take  one,  for  we  com- 
monly fish  with  two  of  them  at  a  time,  and,  putting  the  point 
of  the  hook  into  the  thickest  part  of  his  body  under  one  of  his 
wings,  run  it  directly  through,  and  out  at  the  other  side,  leav- 
ing him  spitted  cross  upon  the  hook ;  and  then  taking  the 
other,  put  him  on  after  the  same  manner,  but  with  his  head  the 
contrary  way ;  in  which  posture  they  will  live  upon  the  hook, 
and  play  with  their  wings  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  or  more ; 
but  you  must  have  a  care  to  keep  their  wings  dry,  both  from 
the  water,  and  also  that  your  fingers  be  not  wet  when  you  take 
them  out  to  bait  them ;  for  then  your  bait  is  spoiled. 

Having  now  told  you  how  to  angle  with  this  fly  alive,  I  am 
now  to  tell  you  next,  how  to  make  an  artificial-fly,  that  will  so 
perfectly  resemble  him,  as  to  be  taken  in  a  rough  windy  day 
when  no  flies  can  lie  upon  the  water,  nor  are  to  be  found  about 
the  banks  and  sides  of  the  river,  to  a  wonder ;  and  with  which 
you  shall  certainly  kill  the  best  Trout  and  Grayling  in  the 
river. 

The  artificial  Green-Drake,  then,  is  made  upon  a  large  hook; 
the  dubbing,  camel's  hair,  bright  bear's  hair,  the  soft  down 
that  is  combed  from  a  hog's  bristles  and  yellow  camlet,  well 
mixed  together ;  the  body  long,  and  ribbed  about  with  green 
silk,  or  rather  yellow,  waxed  with  green  wax,  the  whisks  of 
the  tail,  of  the  long  hairs  of  sables,  or  fitchet,  and  the  wings  of 
the  white  gray  feather  of  a  mallard,  dyed  yellow  ;  which  also  is 
to  be  dyed  thus. 

Take  the  root  of  a  Barbary-tree,  and  shave  it,  and  put  to  it 
woody  viss,  with  as  much  alum  as  a  walnut,  and  boil  your 
feathers  in  it  with  rain-water ;  and  they  will  be  of  a  very  fine 
yellow. 

I  have  now  done  with  the  Green-Drake ;  excepting  to  tell 
you,  that  he  is  taken  at  all  hours  during  his  season,  whilst 
there  is  any  day  upon  the  sky ;  and  with  a  made-fly  I  once 
took,  ten  days  after  he  was  absolutely  gone,  in  a  cloudy  day, 
after  a  shower,  and  in  a  whistling  wind,  five  and  thirty  very 


Chap.  VII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  283 

great  Trouts  and  Graylings,  betwixt  five  and  eight  of  the  clock 
in  the  evening ;  and  had  no  less  than  five  or  six  flies,  with 
three  good  hairs  apiece,  taken  from  me  in  despite  of  my  heart, 
besides. 

12.  I  should  now  come  next  to  the  Stone-fly,  but  there  is 
another  gentleman  in  my  way,  that  must  of  necessity  come  in 
between ;  and  that  is  the  Gray-Drake,  which,  in  all  shapes 
and  dimensions,  is  perfectly  the  same  with  the  other,  but  quite 
almost  of  another  color ;  being  of  a  paler  and  more  livid  yellow 
and  green,  and  ribbed  with  black  quite  down  his  body,  with 
black,  shining  wings,  and  so  diaphanous  and  tender,  cobweb- 
like, that  they  are  of  no  manner  of  use  for  daping,  but  come 
in  and  are  taken  after  the  Green-Drake,  and  in  an  artificial  fly 
kill  very  well  j  which  fly  is  thus  made :  the  dubbing  of  the 
down  of  a  hog's  bristles,  and  black  spaniel's  fur,  mixed,  and 
ribbed  down  the  body  with  black  silk,  the  whisks  of  the  hairs 
of  the  beard  of  a  black  cat,  and  the  wings  of  the  black-gray 
feather  of  a  mallard. 

And  now  I  come  to  the  Stone-Fly,  but  am  afraid  I  have 
already  wearied  your  patience ;  which  if  I  have  I  beseech  you 
freely  tell  me  so,  and  I  will  defer  the  remaining  instructions 
for  Fly- Angling  till  some  other  time. 

ViAT.  No,  truly.  Sir,  I  can  never  be  weary  of  hearing  you. 
But  if  you  think  fit,  because  I  am  afraid  I  am  too  troublesome, 
to  refresh  yourself  with  a  glass  and  a  pipe :  you  may  afterwards 
proceed,  and  I  shall  be  exceedingly  pleased  to  hear  you. 

Pisc.  I  thank  you.  Sir,  for  that  motion ;  for,  beUeve  me,  I 
am  dry  with  talking.  Here,  Boy  !  give  us  here  a  bottle,  and 
a  glass ;  and.  Sir,  my  service  to  you,  and  to  all  our  friends  in 
the  South. 

ViAT.  Your  servant.  Sir,  and  I  '11  pledge  you  as  heartily  ;  for 
the  good  powdered  beef  I  eat  at  dinner,  or  something  else,  has 
made  me  thirsty. 


THE    SECOND    DAY. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

Viator. 

QO,  Sir,  I  am  now  ready  for  another  lesson,  so  soon  as  you 
*^     please  to  give  it  me. 

Pisc.  And  I,  Sir,  as  ready  to  give  you  the  best  I  can.  Hav- 
ing told  you  the  time  of  the  Stone-fly's  coming  in,  and  that  he 
is  bred  of  a  cadis  in  the  very  river  where  he  is  taken,  I  am 
next  to  tell  you,  that, 

13.  This  same  Stone-Fly  has  not  the  patience  to  continue 
in  his  crust,  or  husk,  till  his  wings  be  full  grown ;  but  so  soon 
as  ever  they  begin  to  put  out,  that  he  feels  himself  strong  (at 
which  time  we  call  him  a  Jack),  squeezes  himself  out  of  prison, 
and  crawls  to  the  top  of  some  stone ;  where,  if  he  can  find  a 
chink  that  will  receive  him,  or  can  creep  betwixt  two  stones, 
the  one  lying  hollow  upon  the  other,  (which,  by  the  way,  we 
also  lay  so  purposely  to  find  them,)  he  there  lurks  till  his  wings 
be  full  grown,  and  there  is  your  only  place  to  find  him ;  and 
from  thence  doubtless  he  derives  his  name : — though,  for  want 
of  such  convenience,  he  will  make  shift  with  the  hollow  of  a 
bank,  or  any  other  place  where  the  wind  cannot  come  to  fetch 
him  off.  His  body  is  long,  and  pretty  thick,  and  as  broad  at 
the  tail,  almost,  as  in  the  middle :  his  color  a  very  fine  brown, 
ribbed  with  yellow,  and  much  yellower  on  the  belly  than  the 
back :  he  has  two  or  three  whisks  also  at  the  tag  of  his  tail, 
and  two  little  horns  upon  his  head :  his  wings,  when  full 
grown,  are  double,  and  flat  down  his  back,  of  the  same  color 
but  rather  darker  than  his  body,  and  longer  than  it ;  though 


Chap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  285 

he  makes  but  little  use  of  them,  for  you  shall  rarely  see  him 
flying,  though  often  swimming  and  paddling,  with  several  feet 
he  has  under  his  belly,  upon  the  water,  without  stirring  a  wing. 
But  the  Drake  will  mount  steeple-high  into  the  air ;  though  he 
is  to  be  found  upon  flags  and  grass  too,  and,  indeed,  everywhere 
high  and  low  near  the  river ;  there  being  so  many  of  them  in 
their  season,  as,  were  they  not  a  very  inoifensive  insect,  would 
'iOok  like  a  plague :  and  these  Drakes  (since  I  forgot  to  tell  you 
before,  I  will  tell  you  here)  are  taken  by  the  fish  to  that  i^i' 
credible  degree,  that,  upon  a  calm  day,  you  shall  see  the  still' 
deeps  continually  all  over  circles  by  the  fishes  rising,  who  will 
gorge  themselves  with  those  flies,  till  they  purge  again  out  of 
their  gills :  and  the  Trouts  are  at  that  time  so  lusty  and  strong, 
that  one  of  eight  or  ten  inches  long  will  then  more  struggle 
and  tug,  and  more  endanger  your  tackle,  than  one  twice  as  big 
in  winter :  but  pardon  this  digression. 

This  Stone-Fly,  then,  we  dape  or  dibble  with,  as  with  the 
Drake,  but  with  this  difference  :  that  whereas  the  Green-Drake 
is  common  both  to  stream  and  still,  and  to  all  hours  of  the  day, 
we  seldom  dape  with  this  but  in  the  streams,  for  in  a  whis- 
tling wind  a  made-fly  in  the  deep  is  better, — and  rarely  but 
early  and  late,  it  not  being  so  proper  for  the  mid-time  of  the 
day ;  though  a  great  Grayling  will  then  take  it  very  well  in  a 
sharp  stream,  and  here  and  there  a  Trout  too,  but  much  better 
towards  eight,  nine,  ten,  or  eleven  of  the  clock  at  night,  at 
which  time  also  the  best  fish  rise,  and  the  later  the  better,  pro- 
vided you  can  see  your  fly ;  and  when  you  cannot,  a  made-fly 
will  murder,  which  is  to  be  made  thus  :  the  dubbing  of  bear's 
dun  with  a  little  brown  and  yellow  camlet  very  well  mixed ; 
but  so  placed,  that  your  fly  may  be  more  yellow  on  the  belly 
and  towards  the  tail  underneath  than  in  any  other  part ;  and 
you  are  to  place  two  or  three  hairs  of  a  black  cat's  beard  on 
the  top  of  the  hook,  in  your  arming,  so  as  to  be  turned  up, 
when  you  warp  on  your  dubbing,  and  to  stand  almost  upright, 
and  staring  one  from  another  ;  and  note  that  your  fly  is  to  be 


286  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  11 

ribbed  with  yellow  silk  ;  and  the  wings  long,  and  very  large, 
of  the  dark  gray  feather  of  a  mallard. 

14.  The  next  May- fly  is  the  Black-Fly  ;  made  with  a 
black  body,  of  the  whirl  of  an  ostrich-feather,  ribbed  with 
silver-twist,  and  the  black  hackle  of  a  cock  over  all ;  and  is  a 
kiUing  fly,  but  not  to  be  named  with  either  of  the  other. 

15.  The  last  May-fly,  that  is  of  the  four  pretenders,  is  the 
Little  Yellow  May-Fly  ;  in  shape  exactly  the  same  with  the 
Green-Drake,  but  a  very  little  one,  and  of  as  bright  a  yellow 
as  can  be  seen  ;  which  is  made  of  a  bright  yellow  camlet,  and 
the  wings  of  a  white-gray  feather  dyed  yellow. 

16.  The  last  fly  for  this  month,  and  which  continues  all 
June,  though  it  comes  in  in  the  middle  of  May,  is  the  fly  called 
the  Camlet-Fly  ;  in  shape  like  a  moth,  with  fine  diapered,  or 
water-wings,  and  with  which,  as  I  told  you  before,  I  sometimes 
used  to  dibble  ;  and  Grayling  will  rise  mightily  at  it.  But 
the  artificial  fly,  which  is  only  in  use  amongst  our  Anglers,  is 
made  of  a  dark-brown  shining  camlet,  ribbed  over  with  a  very 
small  light-green  silk,  the  wings  of  the  double-gray  feather  of  a 
mallard ;  and  't  is  a  killing  fly  for  small  fish.  And  so  much 
for  May. 

JUNE. 

From  the  first  to  the  four-and-twentieth,  the  Green-Drake 
and  Stone-fly  are  taken,  as  I  told  you  before. 

1.  From  the  twelfth  to  the  four-and-twentieth,  late  at  night, 
is  taken  a  fly,  called  the  Owl-Fly,  the  dubbing  of  a  white 
weasel's  tail,  and  a  white-gray  wing. 

2.  We  have  then  another  Dun,  called  the  Barm-Fly,  from 
its  yeasty  color  ;  the  dubbing  of  the  fur  of  a  yellow-dun  cat, 
and  a  gray  wing  of  a  mallard's  feather. 

3.  We  have  also  a  Hackle  with  a  purple  body,  whipped 
about  with  a  red  capon's  feather. 

4.  As  also  a  Gold-twist  Hackle  with  a  purple  body, 
whipped  about  with  a  red  capon's  feather. 


Chap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  287 

5.  To  these  we  have,  this  month,  a  Flesh-Fly;  the  dub- 
bing of  a  black  spaniel's  fur,  and  blue  wool  mixed,  and  a  gray- 
wing. 

6.  Also  another  Little  Flesh-Fly  ;  the  body  made  of  the 
whirl  of  a  peacock's  feather,  and  the  wings  of  the  gray  feather 
of  a  drake. 

7.  We  have  then  the  Peacock-Fly;  the  body  and  wing 
both  made  of  the  feather  of  that  bird. 

8.  There  is  also  the  Flying-Ant,  or  Ant-Fly  ;  the  dubbing 
of  brown  and  red  camlet  mixed,  with  a  light  gray  wing. 

9.  We  have  likewise  a  Brown  Gnat  ;  with  a  very  slender 
body  of  brown  and  violet  camlet  well  mixed,  and  a  light  gray 
wing. 

10.  And  another  little  Black  Gnat  ;  the  dubbing  of  black 
mohair,  and  a  white-gray  wing. 

11.  As  also  a  Green  Grasshopper  ;  the  dubbing  of  green 
and  yellow  wool  mixed,  ribbed  over  with  green  silk,  and  a  red 
capon's  feather  over  all. 

12.  And  lastly,  a  little  Dun  Grasshopper;  the  body  slen- 
der, made  of  a  dun  camlet,  and  a  dun  hackle  at  the  top. 

JULY. 

First,  all  the  small  flies  that  were  taken  in  June  are  also 
taken  in  this  month. 

1.  We  have  then  the  Orange-Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  orange 
wool,  and  the  wings  of  a  black  feather. 

2.  Also  a  little  White  Dun  ;  the  body  made  of  white  mo- 
hair, and  the  wings  blue,  of  a  heron's  feather. 

3.  We  have  likewise  this  month  a  Wasp-Fly  ;  made  either 
of  a  dark  brown  dubbing,  or  else  the  fur  of  a  black  cat's  tail, 
ribbed  about  with  yellow  silk,  and  the  wing  of  tlie  gray  feather 
of  a  mallard. 

4.  Another  fly  taken  this  month  is  a  Black-Hackle  ;  the 
body  made  of  the  whirl  of  a  peacock's  feather,  and  a  black 
haokle-feather  o»  the  top. 


288  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

5.  We  have  also  another,  made  of  a  peacock's  whirl  without 
wings. 

6.  Another  fly  also  is  taken  this  month,  called  the  Shell- 
Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  yellow-green  Jersey-wool,  and  a  little 
white  hog's  hair  mixed,  which  I  call  the  Palm  -  fly  :  and  do  be- 
lieve it  is  taken  for  a  palm,  that  drops  off  the  willows  into  the 
water ;  for  this  fly  I  have  seen  Trouts  take  little  pieces  of  moss, 
as  they  have  swam  down  the  river  ;  by  which  I  conclude  that 
the  best  way  to  hit  the  right  color  is  to  compare  your  dubbing 
with  the  moss,  and  mix  the  colors  as  near  as  you  can. 

7.  There  is  also  taken  this  month,  a  Black-Blue  Dun  ;  the 
dubbing  of  the  fur  of  a  black  rabbit  mixed  with  a  little  yellow, 
the  wings  of  the  feather  of  a  blue  pigeon's  wing. 

.      AUGUST. 

The  same  flies  with  July. 

1.  Then  another  Ant-Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  the  black-brown 
hair  of  a  cow,  some  red  warped  in  for  the  tag  of  his  tail,  and 
a  dark  wing.     A  killing  fly. 

2.  Next  a  fly  called  a  Fern-Fly  ;  the  dubbing  of  the  fur  of 
a  hare's  neck,  that  is,  of  the  color  of  fern  or  bracken,  with  a 
darkish-gray  wing  of  a  mallard's  feather.     A  killer  too. 

3.  Besides  these  we  have  a  White  Hackle  ;  the  body  of 
white  mohair,  and  warped  about  with  a  white  hackle-feather  ; 
and  this  is  assuredly  taken  for  thistle-down. 

4.  We  have  also  this  month  a  Harry-Long-Legs  ;  the  body 
made  of  bear's  dun  and  blue  wool  mixed,  and  a  brown  hackle- 
feather  over  all. 

Lastly,  In  this  month  all  the  same  browns  and  duns  are 
taken  that  were  taken  in  May. 

SEPTEMBER. 

This  month  the  same  flies  are  taken  that  are  taken  in  April. 
I,  Tq  which  I  shall  only  add  a  Camei,-Brown  Fly  ;  the 


Chap.  VIII.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  289 

dubbing  pulled  out  of  the  lime  of  a  wall,  whipped  about  with 
red  silk,  and  a  darkish-gray  mallard's  feather  for  the  wing. 

2.  And  one  other,  for  which  we  have  no  name,  but  it  is 
made  of  the  black  hair  of  a  badger's  skin,  mixed  with  the  yel- 
low softest  down  of  a  sanded  hog. 


OCTOBER. 

The  same  flies  are  taken  this  month  that  were  taken  in 
March. 

NOVEMBER. 

The  same  flies  that  were  taken  in  February  are  taken  this 
month  also. 

DECEMBER. 

Few  men  angle  with  the  fly  this  month,  no  more  than  they 
do  in  January ;  but  yet,  if  the  weather  be  warm, — as  I  have 
known  it  sometimes  in  my  life  to  be,  even  in  this  cold  country, 
where  it  is  least  expected, — then  a  brown  that  looks  red  in  the 
hand,  and  yellowish  betwixt  your  eye  and  the  sun,  will  both 
raise  and  kill  in  a  clear  water,  and  free  from  snow-broth  ;  but, 
at  the  best,  't  is  hardly  worth  a  man's  labor. 

And  now.  Sir,  I  have  done  with  Fly-fishing,  or  angling  at 
the  top ;  excepting  once  more  to  tell  you,  that  of  all  these, — 
and  I  have  named  you  a  great  many  very  killing  flies, — none 
are  fit  to  be  compared  with  the  Drake  and  Stone- Fly,  both  for 
many  and  very  great  fish.  And  yet  there  are  some  days  that 
are  by  no  means  proper  for  the  sport ;  and  in  a  calm  you  shall 
not  have  near  so  much  sport,  even  with  daping,  as  in  a  whis- 
tling gale  of  wind,  for  two  reasons,  both  because  you  are  not 
then  so  easily  discovered  by  the  fish,  and  also  because  there  are 
then  but  few  flies  that  can  lie  upon  the  water ;  for  where  they 
have  so  much  choice,  you  may  easily  imagine  they  will  not  be 


290  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  IL 

SO  eager  and  forward  to  rise  at  a  bait,  that  both  the  shadow  of 
your  body,  and  that  of  your  rod,  nay,  of  your  very  Hne,  in  a 
hot,  calm  day,  will,  in  spite  of  your  best  caution,  render  sus- 
pected to  them ;  but  even  then,  in  swift  streams,  or  by  sitting 
down  patiently  behind  a  willow-bush,  you  shall  do  more  execu- 
tion than  at  almost  any  other  time  of  the  year  with  any  other 
fly;  though  one  may  sometimes  hit  of  a  day,  when  he  shall 
come  home  very  well  satisfied  with  sport  with  several  other 
flies.  But  with  these  two,  the  Green-Drake  and  the  Stone- 
Fly,  I  do  verily  believe  I  could,  some  days  in  my  life,  had  I 
not  been  weary  of  slaughter,  have  loaden  a  lusty  boy ;  and  have 
sometimes,  I  do  honestly  assure  you,  given  over  upon  the  mere 
account  of  satiety  of  sport,  which  will  be  no  hard  matter  to 
believe,  when  I  likewise  assure  you  that,  with  this  very  fly,  I 
have,  in  this  very  river  that  runs  by  us,  in  three  or  four  hours, 
taken  thirty,  five  and  thirty,  and  forty  of  the  best  Trouts  in 
the  river.  What  shame  and  pity  is  it,  then,  that  such  a  river 
should  be  destroyed  by  the  basest  sort  of  people,  by  those  un- 
lawful ways  of  fire  and  netting  in  the  night,  and  of  damming, 
groping,  spearing,  hanging,  and  hooking  by  day !  which  are 
now  grown  so  common,  that,  though  we  have  very  good  laws 
to  punish  such  offenders,  every  rascal  does  it,  for  aught  I  see, 
impunk. 

To  conclude,  I  cannot  now,  in  honesty,  but  frankly  tell  you, 
that  many  of  these  flies  I  have  named,  at  least  so  made  as  we 
make  them  here,  will  peradventure  do  you  no  great  service  in 
your  southern  rivers  :  and  will  not  conceal  from  you  but  that  I 
have  sent  flies  to  several  friends  in  London,  that,  for  aught  I 
could  ever  hear,  never  did  any  great  feats  with  them ;  and, 
therefore,  if  you  intend  to  profit  by  my  instructions,  you  must 
come  to  angle  with  me  here  in  the  Peak  ;  and  so,  if  you  please, 
let  us  walk  ud  to  su'pper ;  and  to-morrow,  if  the  day  be  windy, 
as  our  days  here  commonly  are,  't  is  ten  to  one  but  we  shall 
take  a  good  dish  of  fish  for  dinner. 


THE  THIRD  DAY. 
CHAPTER  IX. 

PiSCATOR. 

A  GOOD  day  to  you,  Sir ;  I  see  you  will  always  be  stirring 
before  me. 

ViAT.  Why,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  am  so  allured  with  the 
sport  I  had  yesterday,  that  I  long  to  be  at  the  river  again ; 
and  when  I  heard  the  wind  sing  in  my  chamber-window,  could 
forbear  no  longer,  but  leap  out  of  bed,  and  had  just  made  an 
end  of  dressing  myself  as  you  came  in. 

Pisc.  Well,  I  am  both  glad  you  are  so  ready  for  the  day, 
and  that  the  day  is  so  fit  for  you.  And  look  you,  I  have  made 
you  three  or  four  flies  this  morning ;  this  silver-twist  hackle, 
this  bear's  dun,  this  light  brown,  and  this  dark  brown,  any  of 
which  I  dare  say  will  do ;  but  you  may  try  them  all,  and  see 
which  does  best :  only  I  must  ask  your  pardon  that  I  cannot 
wait  upon  you  this  morning,  a  little  business  being  fallen  out- 
that  for  two  or  three  hours  will  deprive  me  of  your  company ; 
but  I  '11  come  and  call  you  home  to  dinner,  and  my  man  shall 
attend  you. 

ViAT.  O,  Sir,  mind  your  affairs  by  all  means.  Do  but 
lend  me  a  little  of  your  skill  to  these  fine  flies,  and,  unless  it 
have  forsaken  me  since  yesterday,  I  shall  find  luck  of  my  own, 
I  hope,  to  do  something. 

Pisc.  The  best  instruction  I  can  give  you,  is  that,  seeing  the 
wind  curls  the  water,  and  blows  the  right  way,  you  would  now 
angle  up  the  still-deep  to-day  ;  for  betwixt  the  rocks  where  the 


292  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  IL 

Streams  are  you  would  find  it  now  too  brisk ;  and,  besides,  I 
would  have  you  take  fish  in  both  waters. 

ViAT.  I  '11  obey  your  direction,  and  so  a  good  morning  to 
you.  Come,  young  man,  let  you  and  I  walk  together.  But 
hark  you.  Sir,  I  have  not  done  with  you  yet ;  I  expect  another 
lesson  for  angling  at  the  bottom,  in  the  afternoon. 

Pisc.  Well,  Sir,  I  '11  be  ready  for  you. 


THE  THIRD  DAY. 
CHAPTER  X. 

PiSCATOR. 

OSIR,  are  you  returned?  You  have  but  just  prevented 
me.     I  was  coming  to  call  you. 

ViAT.  I  am  glad,  then,  I  have  saved  you  the  labor. 

Pisc.  And  how  have  you  sped  ? 

ViAT.  You  shall  see  that.  Sir,  presently :  look  you,  Sir,  here 
are  three  *  brace  of  Trouts,  one  of  them  the  biggest  but  one 
that  ever  I  killed  with  a  fly  in  my  life ;  and  yet  I  lost  a  bigger 
than  that,  with  my  fly  to  boot ;  and  here  are  three  Graylings, 
and  one  of  them  longer  by  some  inches  than  that  I  took  yester- 
day, and  yet  I  thought  that  a  good  one  too. 

Pisc.  Why  you  have  made  a  pretty  good  morning's  work 
on  *t ;  and  now.  Sir,  what  think  you  of  our  river  Dove  ? 

ViAT.  I  think  it  to  be  the  best  Trout-river  in  England  ;  and 
am  so  far  in  love  with  it,  that  if  it  were  mine,  and  that  I  could 
keep  it  to  myself,  I  would  not  exchange  that  water  for  all  the 
land  it  runs  over,  to  be  totally  debarred  from  it. 

Pisc.  That  compHnient  to  the  river  speaks  you  a  true  lover 
of  the  art  of  Angling ;  and  now,  Sir,  to  make  part  of  amends 
for  sending  you  so  uncivilly  out  alone  this  morning,  I  will  my- 
self dress  you  this  dish  of  fish  for  your  dinner ;  walk  but  into 
the  parlor,  you  will  find  one  book  or  other  in  the  window  tQ 
entertain  you  the  while ;  and  you  shall  have  it  presently. 

ViAT.  Well,  Sir,  I  obey  you. 

^  §|>9^^  ^c  ^  South-Couatrymaa. 


294  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  II. 

Pisc.  Look  you,  Sir  !  have  I  not  made  haste  ? 

ViAT.  Believe  me.  Sir,  that  you  have ;  and  it  looks  so  well, 
I  long  to  be  at  it. 

Pisc.  Fall  to,  then.  Now,  Sir,  what  say  you,  am  I  a  toler- 
ble  cook  or  no  ? 

ViAT.  So  good  a  one,  that  I  did  never  eat  so  good  iish  in  my 
life.  This  fish  is  infinitely  better  than  any  I  ever  tasted  of  the 
kind  in  my  life.  'T  is  quite  another  thing  than  our  Trouts 
about  London. 

Pisc.  You  would  say  so,  if  that  Trout  you  eat  of  were  in 
right  season ;  but  pray  eat  of  the  Grayling,  which,  upon  my 
word,  at  this  time,  is  by  much  the  better  fish. 

ViAT.  In  earnest,  and  so  it  is.  And  I  have  one  request  to 
make  to  you,  which  is,  that  as  you  have  taught  me  to  catch 
Trout  and  Grayling,  you  will  now  teach  me  how  to  dress  them 
as  these  are  dressed;  which,  questionless,  is  of  all  other  the 
best  way. 

Pisc.  That  I  will.  Sir,  with  all  my  heart ;  and  am  glad  you 
like  them  so  well,  as  to  make  that  request.  And  they  are 
dressed  thus  : — 

Take  your  Trout,  wash,  and  dry  him  with  a  clean  napkin ; 
then  open  him,  and,  having  taken  out  his  guts,  and  all  the 
blood,  wipe  him  very  clean  within,  but  wash  him  not ;  and 
give  him  three  scotches  with  a  knife  to  the  bone,  on  one  side 
only.  After  which  take  a  clean  kettle,  and  put  in  as  much 
hard  stale  beer  (but  it  must  not  be  dead),  vinegar,  and  a  little 
white  wine,  and  water,  as  will  cover  the  fish  you  intend  to 
boil ;  then  throw  into  the  Hquor  a  good  quantity  of  salt,  the 
rind  of  a  lemon,  a  handful  of  sliced  horse-radish  root,  with  a 
handsome  little  fagot  of  rosemary,  thyme,  and  winter-savory. 
Then  set  your  kettle  upon  a  quick  fire  of  wood,  and  let  your 
liquor  boil  up  to  the  height  before  you  put  in  your  fish ;  and 
then,  if  there  be  many,  put  them  in  one  by  one,  that  they  may 
not  so  cool  the  liquor,  as  to  make  it  fall.  And  whilst  your 
fis^  is  boiling,  beat  up  the  butter  for  your  sauce  with  a  ladleful 


Chap.  X.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  295 

or  two  of  the  liquor  it  is  boiling  in.  And,  being  boiled 
enough,  immediately  pour  the  hquor  from  the  fish ;  and,  being 
laid  in  a  dish,  pour  your  butter  upon  it ;  and,  strewing  it 
plentifully  over  with  shaved  horse-radish,  and  a  little  pounded 
ginger,  garnish  your  sides  of  your  dish,  and  the  fish  itself  with 
a  sliced  lemon  or  two,  and  serve  it  up. 

A  Grayling  is  also  to  be  dressed  exactly  after  the  same  man- 
ner, saving  that  he  is  to  be  scaled,  which  a  Trout  never  is ;  and 
that  must  be  done,  either  with  one's  nails,  or  very  lightly  and 
carefully  with  a  knife  for  bruising  the  fish.  And  note,  that 
these  kinds  of  fish,  a  Trout  especially,  if  he  is  not  eaten  within 
four  or  five  hours  after  he  be  taken,  is  worth  nothing. 

But  come.  Sir,  I  see  you  have  dined ;  and,  therefore,  if  you 
please,  we  will  walk  down  again  to  the  little  House,  and  there 
I  will  read  you  a  lecture  of  Angling  at  the  Bottom. 


THE   THIRD    DAY. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Viator. 

SO,  Sir,  now  we  are  here,  and  set,  let  me  have  my  instruc- 
tions for  Angling  for  Trout  and  Grayling,  at  the  Bottom ; 
which,  though  not  so  easy,  so  cleanly,  nor,  as  't  is  said,  so 
genteel,  a  way  of  fishing,  as  with  a  fly,  is  yet  (if  I  mistake  not) 
a  good  holding  way,  and  takes  fish  when  nothing  else  will. 

Pisc.  You  are  in  the  right,  it  does  so ;  and  a  worm  is  so  sure 
a  bait  at  all  times,  that,  excepting  in  a  flood,  I  would  I  had 
laid  a  thousand  pounds  that  I  killed  fish  more  or  less  with  it, 
winter  or  summer,  every  day  throughout  the  year ;  those  days 
always  excepted  that,  upon  a  more  serious  account,  always  ought 
so  to  be.  But  not  longer  to  delay  you,  I  will  begin  :  and  tell 
you,  that  Angling  at  the  Bottom  is  also  commonly  of  two  sorts ; 
— and  yet  there  is  a  third  way  of  angling  with  a  ground-bait, 
and  to  very  great  effect  too,  as  shall  be  said  hereafter ; — namely, 
by  Hand,  or  with  a  Cork  or  Float. 

That  we  call  Angling  by  Hand  is  of  three  sorts. 

The  first :  with  a  line  about  half  the  length  of  the  rod,  a  good 
weighty  plumb,  and  three  hairs  next  the  hook,  which  we  call  a 
running-line,  and  with  one  large  brandling,  or  a  dew-worm  of 
a  moderate  size,  or  two  small  ones  of  the  first,  or  any  other  sort, 
proper  for  a  Trout,  of  which  my  Father  Walton  has  already 
given  you  the  names,  and  saved  me  a  labor ;  or,  indeed,  almost 
any  worm  whatever ;  for  if  a  Trout  be  in  the  humor  to  bite,  it 
must  be  such  a  worm  as  I  never  yet  saw  that  he  will  refuse ;  and 
if  you  fish  with  two,  you  are  then  to  bait  your  hook  thus.     You 


Chap.  XL]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  297 

are  first  to  run  the  point  of  your  hook  in  at  the  very  head  of 
your  first  worm,  and  so  down  through  his  body  till  it  be  past 
the  knot,  and  then  let  it  out,  and  strip  the  worm  above  the 
arming  (that  you  may  not  bruise  it  with  your  fingers)  till  you 
have  put  on  the  other,  by  running  the  point  of  the  hook  in  be- 
low the  knot,  and  upwards  through  his  body  towards  his  head ; 
till  it  be  but  just  covered  with  the  head,  which  being  done,  you 
are  then  to  slip  the  first  worm  down  over  the  arming  again,  till 
the  knots  of  both  worms  meet  together. 

The  second  way  of  angling  by  hand,  and  with  a  running- 
line,  is  with  a  line  something  longer  than  the  former,  and  with 
tackle  made  after  this  same  manner.  At  the  utmost  extremity 
of  your  hne,  where  the  hook  is  always  placed  in  all  other  ways 
of  angling,  you  are  to  have  a  large  pistol  or  carabine  bullet,  into 
which  the  end  of  your  line  is  to  be  fastened  with  a  peg  or  pin, 
even  and  close  with  the  bullet ;  and,  about  half  a  foot  above 
that,  a  branch  of  line,  of  two  or  three  handfuls  long,  or  more 
for  a  swift  stream,  with  a  hook  at  the  end  thereof  baited  with 
some  of  the  forenamed  worms ;  and  another,  half  foot  above 
that ;  another,  armed  and  baited  after  the  same  manner,  but 
with  another  sort  of  worm,  without  any  lead  at  all  above :  by 
which  means  you  will  always  certainly  find  the  true  bottom  in 
all  depths ;  which,  with  the  plumbs  upon  your  line  above  you 
can  never  do,  but  that  your  bait  must  always  drag  whilst  you 
are  sounding  (which,  in  this  way  of  Angling,  must  be  continu- 
ally), by  which  njeans  you  are  like  to  have  more  trouble,  and 
peradventure  worse  success.  And  both  these  ways  of  angling 
at  the  bottom  are  most  proper  for  a  dark  and  muddy  water ;  by 
reason  that  in  such  a  condition  of  the  stream,  a  man  may  stand 
as  near  as  he  will,  and  neither  his  own  shadow  nor  the  round- 
ness of  his  tackle  will  hinder  his  sport. 

The  third  way  of  anghng  by  hand  with  a  ground-bait,  and 
by  much  the  best  of  all  other,  is,  with  a  line  full  as  long,  or  a 
yard  and  a  half  longer  than  your  rod ;  with  no  more  than  one 
hair  next  the  hook,  and  for  two  or  three  lengths  above  it ;  and 


298  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  [Part  H. 

no  more  than  one  small  pellet  of  shot  for  your  plumb :  your 
hook  little ;  your  worms  of  the  smaller  brandlings,  very  well 
scoured ;  and  only  one  upon  your  hook  at  a  time,  which  is  thus 
to  be  baited  :  the  point  of  your  hook  is  to  be  put  in  at  the  very 
tag  of  his  tail,  and  run  up  his  body  quite  over  all  the  arming, 
and  still  stripped  on  an  inch  at  least  upon  the  hair ;  the  head 
and  remaining  part  hanging  downward.  And  with  this  line 
and  hook,  thus  baited,  you  are  evermore  to  angle  in  the  streams ; 
always  in  a  clear,  rather  than  a  troubled  water,  and  always  up 
the  river,  still  casting  out  your  worm  before  you  with  a  light 
one-handed  rod,  like  an  artificial  fly ;  where  it  will  be  taken, 
sometimes  at  the  top,  or  within  a  very  little  of  the  superficies 
of  the  water,  and  almost  always  before  that  light  plumb  can  sink 
it  to  the  bottom ;  both  by  reason  of  the  stream,  and  also  that 
you  must  always  keep  your  worm  in  motion  by  drawing  still 
back  towards  you,  as  if  you  were  angling  with  a  fly.  And 
believe  me,  whoever  will  try  it,  shall  find  this  the  best  way  of 
all  other  to  angle  with  a  worm,  in  a  bright  water  especially ; 
but  then  his  rod  must  be  very  hght  and  pliant,  and  very  true 
and  finely  made ;  which,  with  a  skilful  hand,  will  do  wonders, 
and  in  a  clear  stream  is  undoubtedly  the  best  way  of  angling  for 
a  Trout  or  Grayling,  with  a  worm,  by  many  degrees,  that  any 
man  can  make  choice  of,  and  of  most  ease  and  delight  to  the 
angler.  To  which  let  me  add,  that  if  the  angler  be  of  a  con- 
stitution that  will  suffer  him  to  wade,  and  will  slip  into  the  tail 
of  a  shallow  stream,  to  the  calf  of  the  leg  or  the  knee,  and  so 
keep  off  the  bank,  he  shall  almost  take  what  fish  he  pleases. 

The  second  way  of  angling  at  the  bottom  is  with  a  cork  or 
float.  And  that  is  also  of  two  sorts  :  with  a  Worm,  or  with  a 
Grub  or  Cadis. 

With  a  Worm,  you  are  to  have  your  line  within  a  foot,  or  a 
foot  and  a  half,  as  long  as  your  rod,  in  a  dark  water  with  two, 
or,  if  you  will,  with  three ;  but  in  a  clear  water  never  with 
above  one  hair  next  the  hook,  and  two  or  three  for  four  or  five 
lengths  above  it ;  and  a  worm  of  what  size  you  please :   your 


Chap.  XI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  299 

plumbs  fitted  to  your  cork,  your  cork  to  the  condition  of  the 
river  (that  is,  to  the  swiftness  or  slowness  of  it),  and  both,  when 
the  water  is  very  clear,  as  fine  as  you  can ;  and  then  you  are 
never  to  bait  with  above  one  of  the  lesser  sort  of  brandlings ; 
or,  if  they  are  very  little  ones  indeed,  you  may  then  bait  with 
two  after  the  manner  before  directed. 

When  you  angle  for  a  Trout,  you  are  to  do  it  as  deep,  that 
is,  as  near  the  bottom  as  you  can,  provided  your  bait  do  not 
drag ;  or  if  it  do,  a  Trout  will  sometimes  take  it  in  that  post- 
ure. If  for  a  Grayling,  you  are  then  to  fish  further  from  the 
bottom,  he  being  a  fish  that  usually  swims  nearer  to  the  middle 
of  the  water,  and  lies  always  loose ;  or,  however,  is  more  apt 
to  rise  than  a  Trout,  and  more  inchned  to  rise  than  to  descend 
even  to  a  ground-bait. 

With  a  Grub  or  Cadis,  you  are  to  angle  with  the  same  length 
of  line,  or  if  it  be  all  out  as  long  as  your  rod,  't  is  not  the 
worse ;  with  never  above  one  hair  for  two  or  three  lengths  next 
the  hook,  and  with  the  smallest  cork  or  float,  and  the  least 
weight  of  plumb  you  can  that  will  but  sink,  and  that  the  swift- 
ness of  your  stream  will  allow  :  which  also  you  may  help,  and 
avoid  the  violence  of  the  current,  by  angling  in  the  returns  of 
a  stream,  or  the  eddies  betwixt  two  streams ;  which  also  are 
the  most  likely  places  wherein  to  kill  a  fish  in  a  stream,  either 
at  the  top  or  bottom. 

Of  Grubs  for  a  Grayling,  the  Ash-grub,  which  is  plump, 
milk-white,  bent  round  from  head  to  tail,  and  exceeding  ten- 
der, with  a  red  head ;  or  the  Dock-worm,  or  grub,  of  a  pale 
yellow,  longer,  lanker,  and  tougher  than  the  other,  with  rows 
of  feet  all  down  his  belly,  and  a  red  head  also ;  are  the  best,  I 
say,  for  a  Grayling :  because,  although  a  Trout  will  take  both 
these,  the  Ash-grub  especially,  yet  he  does  not  do  it  so  freely 
as  the  other,  and  I  have  usually  taken  ten  Graylings  for  one 
Trout  with  that  bait ;  though  if  a  Trout  come,  I  have  observed 
that  he  is  commonly  a  very  good  one. 

These  baits  we  usually  keep  in  bran,  in  which  an  Ash-grub 


300  The  complete  angler.  [Partii 

commonly  grows  tougher,  and  will  better  endure  baiting; 
though  he  is  yet  so  tender,  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  warp  in 
a  piece  of  a  stiff  hair  with  your  arming,  leaving  it  standing  out 
about  a  straw-breadth  at  the  head  of  your  hook,  so  as  to  keep 
the  grub  either  from  slipping  totally  off  when  baited,  or  at 
least  down  to  the  point  of  the  hook,  by  which  means  your  arm- 
ing will  be  left  wholly  naked  and  bare,  which  is  neither  so 
sightly,  nor  so  likely  to  be  taken :  though,  to  help  that,  which 
will  however  very  oft  fall  out,  I  always  arm  the  hook  I  design 
for  this  bait  with  the  whitest  horse-hair  I  can  choose ;  which 
itself  will  resemble,  and  shine  hke  that  bait,  and  consequently 
will  do  more  good,  or  less  harm,  than  an  arming  of  any  other 
color.  These  grubs  are  to  be  baited  thus :  the  hook  is  to  be 
put  in  under  the  head  or  chaps  of  the  bait,  and  guided  down 
the  middle  of  the  belly,  without  suffering  it  to  peep  out  by  the 
way  (for  then,  the  Ash-grub  especially,  will  issue  out  water 
and  milk,  till  nothing  but  the  skin  shall  remain,  and  the  bend 
of  the  hook  will  appear  black  through  it)  till  the  point  of  your 
hook  come  so  low,  that  the  head  of  your  bait  may  rest,  and 
stick  upon  the  hair  that  stands  out  to  hold  it ;  by  which  means 
it  can  neither  slip  of  itself,  neither  will  the  force  of  the  stream, 
nor  quick  pulling  out,  upon  any  mistake,  strip  it  off. 

Now  the  Cadis,  or  Cod-bait,  which  is  a  sure  killing  bait, 
and,  for  the  most  part,  by  much  surer  than  either  of  the  other, 
may  be  put  upon  the  hook,  two  or  three  together ;  and  is  some- 
times, to  very  great  effect,  joined  to  a  worm,  and  sometimes 
to  an  artificial  fly  to  cover  the  point  of  the  hook ;  but  is  always 
to  be  angled  with  at  the  bottom,  when  by  itself  especially,  with 
the  finest  tackle ;  and  is  for  all  times  of  the  year  the  most  hold- 
ing-bait of  all  other  whatever,  both  for  Trout  and  Grayling. 

There  are  several  other  baits,  besides  these  few  I  have  named 
you,  which  also  do  very  great  execution  at  the  bottom ;  and 
some  that  are  pecuhar  to  certain  countries  and  rivers,  of  which 
every  Angler  may  in  his  own  place  make  his  own  observation ; 
and  some  others  that  I  do  not  think  fit  to  put  you  in  mind  of. 


Chap.  XI.]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  3OI 

because  I  would  not  corrupt  you,  and  would  have  you, — as  in 
all  things  else  I  observe  you  to  be  a  very  honest  gentleman,  a 
fair  Angler.  And  so  much  for  the  second  sort  of  angling  for  a 
Trout  at  the  bottom. 

ViAT.  But,  Sir,  I  beseech  you  give  me  leave  to  ask  you  one 
question.  Is  there  no  art  to  be  used  to  worms,  to  make  them 
allure  the  fish,  and  in  a  manner  compel  them  to  bite  at  the 
bait? 

Pisc.  Not  that  I  know  of :  or  did  I  know  any  such  secret,  I 
would  not  use  it  myself,  and  therefore  would  not  teach  it  you. 
Though  I  will  not  deny  to  you  that,  in  my  younger  days,  I 
have  made  trial  of  Oil  of  Osprey,  Oil  of  Ivy,  Camphor,  As- 
safoetida,  Juice  of  Nettles,  and  several  other  devices  that  I  was 
taught  by  several  Anglers  I  met  with,  but  could  never  find  any 
advantage  by  them ;  and  can  scarce  believe  there  is  anything 
to  be  done  that  way :  though  I  must  tell  you,  I  have  seen 
some  men,  who  I  thought  went  to  work  no  more  artificially 
than  I,  and  have  yet  with  the  same  kind  of  worms  I  had,  in 
my  own  sight,  taken  five,  and  sometimes  ten,  for  one.  But 
we  '11  let  that  business  alone,  if  you  please.  And,  because  we 
have  time  enough,  and  that  I  would  deliver  you  from  the 
trouble  of  any  more  lectures,  I  will,  if  you  please,  proceed  to 
the  last  way  of  angling  for  a  Trout  or  Grayling,  which  is  in 
the  middle ;  after  which  I  shall  have  no  more  to  trouble  you 
with. 

ViAT.  'T  is  no  trouble.  Sir,  but  the  greatest  satisfaction  that 
can  be,  and  I  attend  you. 


THE   THIRD    DAY. 
CHAPTER    XII. 

PiSCATOR. 

A  NGLING  in  the  Middle,  then,  for  Trout  or  Grayling,  is  of 
**-  two  sorts  :  with  a  Penk  or  Minnow  for  a  Trout ;  or  with 
a  Worm,  Grub,  or  Cadis  for  a  Grayling. 

For  the  first ;  it  is  with  a  Minnow,  half  a  foot,  or  a  foot, 
within  the  superficies  of  the  water.  And  as  to  the  rest  that 
concerns  this  sort  of  Anghng,  I  shall  wholly  refer  you  to  Mr. 
Walton's  direction,  who  is  undoubtedly  the  best  Angler  with  a 
Minnow  in  England  :  only  in  plain  truth  I  do  not  approve  of 
those  baits  he  keeps  in  salt, — unless  where  the  living  ones  are 
not  possibly  to  be  had  (though  I  know  he  frequently  kills  with 
them,  and  peradventure  more  than  with  any  other,  nay,  I  have 
seen  him  refuse  a  living  one  for  one  of  them), — and  much  less 
of  his  artificial  one ;  for  though  we  do  it  with  a  counterfeit- 
fly,  methinks  it  should  hardly  be  expected  that  a  man  should 
deceive  a  fish  with  a  counterfeit-fish.  Which  having  said,  I 
shall  only  add,  and  that  out  of  my  own  experience,  that  I  do 
believe  a  Bull-head,  with  his  gill-fins  cut  off,  at  some  times 
of  the  year  especially,  to  be  a  much  better  bait  for  a  Trout 
than  a  Minnow,  and  a  Loach  much  better  than  that :  to  prove 
which  I  shall  only  tell  you,  that  I  have  much  oftener  taken 
Trouts  with  a  Bull-head  or  a  Loach  in  their  throats  (for  there 
a  Trout  has  questionless  his  first  digestion)  than  a  Minnow ; 
and  that  one  day  especially,  having  angled  a  good  part  of  the 
day  with  a  Minnow,  and  that  in  as  hopeful  a  day,  and  as  fit  a 
water,  as  could  be  wished  for  that  purpose,  without  raising  any 


Chap.  XII.  ]  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  305 

one  fish ;  I  at  last  fell  to  it  with  the  worm,  and  with  that  took 
fourteen  in  a  very  short  space ;  amongst  all  which  there  was 
not,  to  my  remembrance,  so  much  as  one  that  had  not  a  Loach 
or  two,  and  some  of  them  three,  four,  five,  and  six  Loaches, 
in  his  throat  and  stomach;  from  whence  I  concluded,  that, 
had  I  angled  with  that  bait,  I  had  made  a  notable  day's  work 
oft. 

But,  after  all,  there  is  a  better  way  of  angling  with  a  Min- 
now than  perhaps  is  fit  either  to  teach  or  to  practise :  to  which 
I  shall  only  add,  that  a  Grayling  will  certainly  rise  at,  and 
sometimes  take  a  Minnow,  though  it  will  be  hard  to  be  be- 
lieved by  any  one,  who  shall  consider  the  littleness  of  that 
fish's  mouth,  very  unfit  to  take  so  great  a  bait ;  but  't  is  af- 
firmed by  many,  that  he  will  sometimes  do  it,  and  I  myself 
know  it  to  be  true  ;  for  though  I  never  took  a  Grayling  so,  yet 
a  man  of  mine  once  did,  and  within  so  few  paces  of  me,  that 
I  am  as  certain  of  it  as  I  can  be  of  anything  I  did  not  see ; 
and,  which  made  it  appear  the  more  strange,  the  Grayling  was 
not  above  eleven  inches  long. 

I  must  here  also  beg  leave  of  your  Master,  and  mine,  not  to 
controvert,  but  to  tell  him,  that  I  cannot  consent  to  his  way  of 
throwing  in  his  rod  to  an  overgrown  Trout,  and  afterwards  re- 
covering his  fish  with  his  tackle.  For  though  I  am  satisfied  he 
has  sometimes  done  it,  because  he  says  so,  yet  I  have  found  it 
quite  otherwise ;  and  though  I  have  taken  with  the  Angle,  I 
may  safely  say,  some  thousands  of  Trouts  in  my  life,  my  top 
never  snapped  (though  my  line  still  continued  fast  to  the  re- 
maining part  of  my  rod,  by  some  lengths  of  line  curled  round 
about  my  top,  and  there  fastened  with  waxed  silk,  against  such 
an  accident)  nor  my  hand  never  slacked,  or  slipped  by  any 
other  chance,  but  I  almost  always  infallibly  lost  my  fish, 
whether  great  or  little,  though  my  hook  came  home  again. 
And  I  have  often  wondered  how  a  Trout  should  so  suddenly 
disengage  himself  from  so  great  a  hook  as  that  we  bait  with  a 
Minnow,  and  §q  deep-bearded  as  those  hooks  commonly  are; 


304  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  (Part  II. 

when  I  have  seen  by  the  forenamed  accidents,  or  the  slipping 
of  a  knot  in  the  upper  part  of  the  line,  by  sudden  and  hard 
striking,  that  though  the  line  has  immediately  been  recovered, 
almost  before  it  could  be  all  drawn  into  the  water,  the  fish 
cleared,  and  was  gone  in  a  moment.  And  yet,  to  justify  what 
he  says,  I  have  sometimes  known  a  Trout,  having  carried  away 
a  whole  line,  found  dead  three  or  four  days  after,  with  the 
hook  fast  sticking  in  him ;  but  then  it  is  to  be  supposed  he  had 
gorged  it,  which  a  Trout  will  do,  if  you  be  not  too  quick  with 
him,  when  he  comes  at  a  Minnow,  as  sure  and  much  sooner 
than  a  Pike ;  and  I  myself  have  also,  once  or  twice  in  my  life, 
taken  the  same  fish  with  my  own  fly  sticking  in  his  chaps,  that 
he  had  taken  from  me  the  day  before,  by  the  slipping  of  a  hook 
in  the  arming.  But  I  am  very  confident  a  Trout  will  not  be 
troubled  two  hours  with  any  hook,  that  has  so  much  as  one 
handful  of  line  left  behind  with  it,  or  that  is  not  struck  through 
a  bone,  if  it  be  in  any  part  of  his  mouth  only  :  nay,  I  do  cer- 
tainly know  that  a  Trout,  so  soon  as  ever  he  feels  himself 
pricked,  if  he  carries  away  the  hook,  goes  immediately  to  the 
bottom,  and  will  there  root  like  a  hog  upon  the  gravel,  till  he 
either  rub  out,  or  break  the  hook  in  the  middle.  And  so  much 
for  this  sort  of  angling  in  the  middle  for  a  Trout. 

The  second  way  of  anghng  in  the  middle  is  with  a  Worm, 
Grub,  Cadis,  or  any  other  ground-bait  for  a  Grayling;  and 
that  is  with  a  cork,  and  a  foot  from  the  bottom,  a  Grayling 
taking  it  much  better  there  than  at  the  bottom,  as  has  been  said 
before ;  and  this  always  in  a  clear  water,  and  with  the  finest 
tackle. 

To  which  we  may  also,  and  with  very  good  reason,  add  the 
third  way  of  anghng  by  hand  with  a  ground-bait,  as  a  third 
way  of  fishing  in  the  middle,  which  is  common  to  both  Trout 
and  Grayling ;  and,  as  I  said  before,  the  best  way  of  angling 
with  a  worm  of  all  other  I  ever  tried  whatever. 

And  Xkow,  Sir,  I  liave  said  all  I  can  at  present  thii^  pf  con- 


chaf.  xilj  the  complete  angler.  305 

cerning  Angling  for  a  Trout  and  Grayling,  and  I  doubt  not 
have  tired  you  sufficiently ;  but  I  will  give  you  no  more 
trouble  of  this  kind  whilst  you  stay ;  which  I  hope  will  be  a 
good  while  longer. 

ViAT.  That  will  not  be  above  a  day  longer ;  but  if  I  live 
till  May  come  twelvemonth,  you  are  sure  of  me  again,  either 
with  my  Master  Walton  or  without  him ;  and  in  the  mean 
time  shall  acquaint  him  how  much  you  have  made  of  me  for 
his  sake,  and  I  hope  he  loves  me  well  enough  to  thank  you 
for  it. 

Pisc.  I  shall  be  glad,  Sir,  of  your  good  company  at  the  time 
you  speak  of,  and  shall  be  loath  to  part  with  you  now ;  but 
when  you  tell  me  you  must  go,  I  will  then  wait  upon  you  more 
miles  on  your  way  than  I  have  tempted  you  out  of  it,  and 
heartily  wish  you  a  good  journey. 


LINN^AN   ARRANGEMENT 
OF   THE    FISH 

fiGURED    IN    THIS   EDITION    OF   WALTON    AND    COTTON's   COM 
PLETE    ANGLER.* 

Extracted  from  General  Zoology,  by  George  Shaw,  M.D.,  &c.,  &c.  ;  and 
British  Zoology,  by  Thomas  Pennant,  Esq.,  Edit  Lond.,  i8i2,  8vo. 

'T'HE  reader  of  Walton's  most  interesting  and  amusing  work 
*  will  probably  be  gratified  by  its  closer  connection  with 
the  science  of  Natural  History  ;  and  for  this  purpose,  the  fol- 
lowing list  is  added,  containing  the  Systematic  Names  and 
Characters  of  the  principal  Fish  described  in  it. 

Fishes  form  one  great  division  of  the  Systema  Naturae  of 
Linnaeus  ;  and  the  most  generally  received  modification  there 
of,  by  Dr.  Shaw,  arranges  them  under  two  great  Classes, — to 
the  former  of  which  alone  the  present  work  has  reference, — viz. 
those  which  have  a  Skeleton  of  Bone,  and  those  which  have  a 
Skeleton  of  Cartilage.  The  Orders  are  founded  upon  circum- 
stances connected  with  the  Fins,  which  are  named  from  their 
situation,  Dorsal,  or  Back  Fins  ;  Pectoral,  or  Breast  Fins  ; 
Ventral,  or  Belly  Fins ;  Anal,  or  Vent  Fin ;  and  Caudal,  or 
Tail  Fin. 

The  Ventral  Fins  are  held  to  be  analogous  to  the  Feet  of 
Quadrupeds ;  and  from  their  absence,  or  relative  situation  to 
the  others,  the  Orders  are  taken.     Such  as  want  the  Ventral 

♦  The  late  Dr.  Richard  Powell,  Secretary  of  the  Royal  College  of  Physi- 
cians, volunteered  the  Linnsean  Arrangement  annexed,  from  his  admiration 
of  the  original  paintings,  and  the  great  pains  taken  to  have  them  faithfully 
csgravod. 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  30/ 

Fins  are  named  Apodal,  or  Footless  ;  such  as  have  the  Ventral 
placed  before,  or  more  forward  than  the  Pectoral,  are  named 
Jugular ;  such  as  have  them  immediately  under  the  Pectoral 
are  named  Thoracic  ;  and  such  as  have  them  behind  or  beyond 
the  Pectoral  are  named  Abdominal. 

As  the  ensuing  descriptions  of  the  Fish  are  placed  according 
to  their  scientific  order,  and  not  according  to  that  of  their  oc- 
currence in  the  preceding  work,  a  reference  to  the  chapter  and 
the  page  in  which  they  are  treated  of  and  represented  is  placed 
against  each  of  the  following  Articles. 

ORDER  L 

Apodal,   or  Footless, 

No  Ventral  Fins. 
Genus  Anguilla,  Eel. 

Head   smooth.     Nostrils   tubular.     Eyes    covered   by  the   common 
skin.     Gill-membrane   lo   rayed.     Body  roundish,   smooth,   mucous. 
Dorsal,  Caudal,  and  Anal  fins  united.     Spiracles  behind  the  head  or 
Pectoral  fins. 
A.  vulgaris.      Common  Eel.     Chap.  xili.  page  178. 

Olive-brown  Eel,  subargenteous  beneath,  with  the  lower  jaw  longer 
than  the  upper. 

ORDER  n. 

Jugular. 

Ventral  Fins  before   the  PectoraL 
No  example. 

ORDER  in. 

Thoracic. 

Ventral  Fins  under  the  Pectoral. 

Genus  Cottus,  Bull-Head. 

Head  broader  than  the  body,   spiny.     Eyes  vertical,   and  furnished 
with   a  nictitating  membrane.     Gill -membrane   6   rayed.     Body  (in 
most  species),  without  scales,  attenuated  towards   the  tail.     Dorsal 
fins  (in  most  species),  two. 
(7.  Gobio^  River  Bull- Head.     Chap,  xviii.  pp.  210^  31 1, 


308  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

Smooth  yellowish-olive  Bull- Head,  variegated  with  black  ;  bcneatk 
whitish.     The  Head  furnished  with  a  spine  on  each  side. 
Genus  Perca,  Perch. 

Teeth  sharp,  incurvate.     Gill-covers  triphyllous  (three-leaved),  scaly, 
serrated.     Dorsal  fin  spiny  on  the  forepart.     Scales  (in  most  species) 
hard  and  rough. 
P.  Fluviatilis^  Common  Perch,     Chap.  XII.  page  173. 

Olivaceous  Perch,  with  transverse  semi-decurrent  blackish  bands. 
Dorsal  fin  subviolaceous,  the  rest  red. 
P.  Cerntia,  Ruffe-Perch.     Chap.  XV.  page  191. 

Sub-olivaceous  Perch  speckled  with  black,  with  15  spines  in  the 
Dorsal  fin. 

N.  B.     The  large   Eyes   (Oculi  magni),    which   are  noticed  in 
Linnasus's  description,  are  well  expressed  in  the  Plate. 
Genus  Gasterosteus,  Stickleback. 

Body  somewhat  lengthened.     Dorsal    spines   distinct.     Ventral   fins 
spiny.     Abdomen  carinated  on  the  sides,  and  bony  beneath. 
G.  Aculeatus,  Common  Stickleback.     Chap.  XVIII.  pp.  210,  212. 
Olivaceous  Stickleback,  silvery-red  beneath,  with  3  Dorsal  spines. 

ORDER  IV. 

Abdominal. 
Ventral  Fins  behind,  or  beyond  the  Pectoral. 
Genus  Cobitis,  Loche. 

Mouth  (in  most  species)  bearded.     Eyes  situated  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  head.     Body  nearly  of  equal  thickness,  from  head  to  tail.     Scales 
small,  easily  deciduous.     Air-bladder  hard,  or  osseous. 
C.  Barbatula,  Common  Loche.     Chap.  XVIII.  pp.  210,  2II. 
Yellow-gray  Loche,  with  dusky  variegations,  small  compressed  head 
and  6  beards. 
Genus  Salmo,  Salmon. 

Head  compressed,  smooth.     Tongue  cartilaginous.     Teeth,  both  in 
the  jaws,  and  on  the   tongue.     Gill-membrane  from  4  to  10  rayed. 
Body  compressed,  furnished  at  the  hind  part  with  an  Adipose  fin. 
.S".  Salar,  Common  Salmon.     Chap.  VII.  page  140. 

Silvery-gray  spotted  Salmon,  with  the  jaws  (in  the  male)  incurvated. 
S.  Fario,  Commo7t  Trout.     Chap.  v.  page  99. 

Yellowish-gray  Salmon  with  red  spots,  and  lower  jaw  rather  longer 

than  the  upper. 
S.  Sahnulus,  Samlet.     Chap.  iv.  page  88. 

Bluigh-gray  Salpaon,  with  distant  reddish  spots  ancj  forked  tail, 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  309 

Note,  Pennant  seems  to  have  established  this  as  a  distinct 
species,  and  not  the  fry  of  the  Salmon,  which  some  have  sup- 
posed. One  conclusive  reason  amongst  others  is,  that  they  are 
furnished  with  roes,  and  are  therefore  to  be  considered  as  full- 
grown  fishes.  A  similar  inference  may  be  made  with  respect  to 
the  White-Bait  of  the  Thames. 
S.  T/iymallus,  Grayling  Salmon.     Chap.  VI.  page  135. 

Gray  Salmon,  with  longitudinal  dusky  blue  lines,  and  violet-colored 
Dorsal  fin  barred  with  brown. 

Genus  Esox,  Pike. 

Head  somewhat  flattened  above.     Mouth  wide.     Teeth  sharp,  in  the 
jaws,  palate,  and  tongue.     Body  lengthened.     Dorsal  and  Anal  fins 
(in  most  species)  placed  near  the  tail,  and  opposite  each  other. 
E,  Lucius,  Common  Pike.     Chap.  viii.  page  149. 

Grayish-olive  Pike,  with  yellowish  spots,  and  depressed  subequal 
jaws. 

Genus  Cyprinus,  Carp. 

Mouth  small  and  toothless.     Teeth  in  the  throat.     Gill-membrane  3 
rayed.     Ventral  fins,  in  general,  9  rayed. 

Note.     It  is  remarkable,  that  of  the  twenty-one  principal  Fish 
which  minister  to  the  pleasure  of  the  Angler,  ten  belong  to  this 
single  Genus. 
C  Carpio,  Common  Carp.     Chap.  IX.  page  159. 

Yellowish-olive   Carp,  with  wide  Dorsal  fin,  with  the  third  ray 

serrated  behind. 
C.  Brama,  Bream.     Chap.  X.  page  164. 

Broad   olivaceous  Carp,    with   flesh-colored   Abdomen;    smallish 

Dorsal  fin,  and  27  rays  in  the  Anal  fin. 
C.  Rutilusy  Roach.     Chap.  xvii.  page  201. 

Yellowish-silvery  Carp,  with  olivaceous  back.     Dorsal  fin  brown, 

the  rest  reddish,  and  forked  tail. 
C,  Tinea,  Tench.     Chap.  XI.  page  171. 

Mucous  blackish-olive  Carp,  with  very  small  scales,  and  nearly 

even  tail. 
C.  Barbus,  Barbel.     Chap.  XIV.  page  186. 

Bluish-white  Carp,  with  4  beards,  olive-colored  back,  and  the  first 

ray  of  the  Dorsal  fin  serrated  on  both  sides. 
C.  Jeses^  Chub.     Chap.  II.  page  79. 

Silvery-bluish  Carp,  with  olivaceous  back,  thick  head,  and  rounded 

snout. 


3IO 


THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 


C.  Leuciscus,  Dace,     Chap.  xvil.  page  202. 

Yellowish-silvery  Carp,  with  olivaceous  back,  Dorsal  fin  brown,  the 

rest  reddish,  and  forked  tail. 
C,  Alburnus,  Bleak.     Chap.  XV.  page  192. 

Silvery  Carp,  with  olivaceous  back,  20  rays  in  the  Anal  fin,  and 

forked  tail. 
C.  Gobioy  Gudgeon.     Chap.  XV.  page  190. 

Silvery-Olive  Carp,  with  the  upper  lip  bearded,  and  the  Dorsal  fin 

and  tail  spotted  with  black. 
C.  Phoxinus,  Minnow.     Chap.  XVIII.  page  210. 

Blackish-green  Carp,  with  blue  and  yellow  variegations  ;  reddish« 

silvery  Abdomen,  and  forked  tail. 


ORIGINAL  AND   SELECTED   NOTES. 

ILLUSTRATIVE    OF   THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER. 

PREVIOUS  to  entering  upon  the  following  series  of  illustra- 
tive Notes,  it  may  be  advantageous  to  state  what  were 
the  books  to  which  the  Authors  of  the  preceding  work  have 
referred  in  the  course  of  it ;  and,  so  far  as  they  now  can  be 
ascertained,  to  specify  the  probable  editions  which  they  con- 
sulted. By  doing  this  Walton's  principal  authorities  will  ap- 
pear at  one  view ;  and  by  numbering  each  article  separately,  a 
connection  will  be  formed  between  them  and  the  following 
Notes,  without  the  continual  repetition  of  the  title  of  any 
volume  which  may  be  referred  to.  Walton,  by  an  admirable 
selection  of  his  authors,  was  enabled  to  quote  not  only  the 
best,  most  learned,  and  most  popular  writers  of  his  own  time, 
but  he  also  was  rendered  capable  of  citing  numerous  ancient 
classics,  as  well  as  the  works  of  many  eminent  foreigners,  whose 
productions  were  generally  written  in  Latin.  The  Complete 
Angler  was,  perhaps,  fully  as  much  as  any  other  work  in  the 
English  tongue,  a  progressive  composition;  since  each  suc- 
ceeding edition,  down  to  the  Fifth, — which  was  the  last  pub- 
lished in  the  author's  life, — contained  some  variation,  addition, 
or  improvement  on  that  which  preceded  it.  Though  Walton 
certainly  anticipated  future  impressions  of  his  most  entertain- 
ing work,  yet  in  the  Preface  to  his  First  Edition,  which  was 
afterwards  considerably  altered,  he  writes  of  such  a  circum- 
stance with  very  great  modesty.  When  speaking  of  the  flies 
which  are  used  for  the  different  months,  he  says:  *'Of  these 
(because  no  man  is  born  an  artist  nor  an  Angler)  I  thought  fit 
to  give  thee  this  notice.     I  might  say  more,  but  it  is  not  fit 


312  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

for  this  place ;  but  if  this  Discourse  which  follows  shall  come 
to  a  second  impression,  which  is  possible,  for  slight  books  have 
been  in  this  age  observed  to  have  that  fortune,  I  shall  then,  for 
thy  sake,  be  glad  to  correct  what  is  faulty,  or,  by  a  conference 
with  any,  to  explain  or  enlarge  what  is  defective ;  but  for  this 
time  I  have  neither  a  willingness  nor  leisure  to  say  more,  than 
wish  thee  a  rainy  evening  to  read  this  book  in,  and  that  the 
east  wind  may  never  blow  when  thou  goest  a-fishing.  Fare- 
well. Iz.  Wa."  He  faithfully  fulfilled  this  promise,  for  the 
Second  Edition  has  eight  entirely  new  chapters,  and  above  an 
hundred  pages  more  than  the  First ;  and  the  Fifth  contains 
twenty  pages  more  than  the  Fourth.* 

It  is  from  these  variations,  the  most  important  of  which  will 
be  found  carefully  preserved  in  the  following  Notes,  that  a  con- 
ception may  be  formed  of  the  editions  used  by  Walton  of  the 
authors  whom  he  cites ;  and  it  is  from  a  careful  collation  of 
these  earlier  impressions,  that  some  illustrations  of  the  text  have 
been  recovered,  from  marginal  notes  which  were  afterwards 
omitted.  Nor  from  the  author  only  have  such  illustrations 
been  compiled,  but  the  Editions  of  the  Complete  Angler  by 
the  Reverend  Moses  Browne,  Sir  John  Hawkins,  Sir  Henry 
Ellis,  and  the  elaborate  and  beautiful  impression  edited  by  Sir 
N.  Harris  Nicolas,  pubHshed  eight  years  since  by  Mr.  Picker- 
ing, have  been  also  consulted ;  and  the  collection  formed  into 
a  brief  but  comprehensive  abstract  of  all.  Brief  indeed,  the 
plan  of  the  present  volume  required  it  to  be,  although  it  would 
in  most  instances  have  been  truly  interesting  to  have  given  the 
very  words  of  the  ancient  and  erudite  authorities  themselves ; 
but  these  extracts  extend  occasionally  to  many  pages,  and  are 
to  be  found  in  the  impressions  referred  to.     The  reader  has 

*  As  these  various  Editions  are  referred  to  in  the  succeeding  Notes  by  the 
number  of  the  impression  only,  a  list  of  them  in  the  order  of  publication  is 
here  given.  First,  1653  ;  Second,  1655  ;  Third,  1664 ;  Fourth,  1668  ;  Fifth, 
1676.  Of  all  these  impressions,  copies  are  in  the  possession  of  W.  J.  Bro- 
DERip,  Esq.,  with  the  most  liberal  use  of  which,  beside  other  assistance,  the 
Editor  has  been  favored  for  the  improvement  of  this  work. 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  313 

however  the  less  to  regret,  since  he  will  find,  on  a  reference  to 
the  originals,  that  Walton  has  so  happily  abbreviated  them,  as 
in  the  words  of  Addison,  to  have  ''practised  in  the  chemical 
method,  and  given  the  virtue  of  a  bulky  draught  in  a  few 
drops."  Such  as  are  famiHar  with  the  Hterature  of  the  time 
will  find  the  ensuing  Notes  almost  all  which  can  be  required, 
since  they  will  serve  as  an  index  to  many  of  the  passages  re- 
ferred to  in  the  numerous  authors  quoted ;  while  for  the  gener- 
al reader,  it  is  presumed  there  will  be  sufficient  to  amuse  and 
guide  him,  without  the  introduction  of  quaint  extracts,  which 
he  would  neither  value  or  enjoy. 

The  works  referred  to  in  The  Complete  Angler  are  presumed 
to  be  the  following. 

1.  iElianus,  Claudius  :  De  Natur^  Animalium,  libri  xvii,     Gr.  Lat.  Pet. 

Gillio  et  Conr.  Gesnero  Interp.     Lugd.  1565.  i6to. 

2.  Aldrovandus,  Ulysses  :  De  Piscibvs,  libri  v.  et  de  Cetis  liber  vnvs. 

Bon,  1638.  fol. 

3.  Bacon,  Francis,  Baron  Verulam  :  Sylva  Sylvarum  :  or  a  Naturall  His- 

tory in  Ten  Centuries.     Published  after  the  Author's  death,  by  W. 
Rawley,  D.D.     Lond.  1635.  fol. 

4. A  History,  Natural  and  Experimental,  of  Life  and  Death  :  or 

of  the  Prolongation  of  Life.     Translated  from  the  Latin  by  W. 
Rawley,  D.D.     Lond.  1638.  i2mo. 

5.  Baker,  Sir  Richard  :  A  Chronicle  of  the  Kings  of  England,     Lond. 

1653.  fol. 

6.  Barker,  Thomas  :  The  Art  of  Angling.     Lond.  1661.  i2mo. 

7.  Bartas,  Guillaume   De    Salluste,    Sieur   Du  :  Du    Bartas   his   Diuine 

Weekes   and    Workes.     Translated  by   Joshua    Sylvester,    Gent. 

Lond.  1 641.  fol. 
&  Camden,  William  :  Britain  :  or  a  Chorographical  Description  of  the 

most  flourishing  Kingdoms  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  and 

the   Islands  adjoining.     Translated  from    the  Latin  by  Philemon 

Holland,  M.D.     Lond.  1637,  fol. 
9.  Cardanus,  Jerome  :  De  Subtilitate,  libri  xxi.     Par.  1551,  8vo. 
10.'  Casaubon,   Dr,     Meric  :  Of    Credulity   and    Incredulity,    in    Things 

Natural,  Civil,  and  Diviue.     Lond.  1668.  8vo. 

11.  Caussin,  Nicholas  :  The  Holy  Court,      1663,  fol. 

12.  Diodorus  Siculus  :  The  History  of  the  World  ;  Done  into  English  by 

Mr.  (Henry)  Cogan.     Lond.  1653.  fol. 


514  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

13.  Donne,  Dr.   John :  Poems  by  J,  D.  with   Elegies  on   the  Author's 

Death.     Lond.  1663.  4to. 

14.  Drayton,  Michael  :  Poly-Olbion.     Lond.  (1612.)  fol. 

15.  Dubravius,  Janus  :  De  Piscinis  et  Piscium  qui  in  eis  aluntur  naturis ; 

libri  V.      1559.  8vo. 

16.  Fletcher,  Phineas  :  The  Purple  Island,  or  the  Isle  of  Man  :  together 

with  Piscatorie  Eclogs  and  other  Poeticall  Miscellanies.  By  P.  F. 
Cambr.  1 633.  4to. 

17.  Gerard,  John :  The  Herball  or  Generall  Historic  of  Plantes.     Lond, 

1633.  fol. 

18.  Gesner,  Conrad  :  De  Piscibvs  et  Aqvatilibvs  omnibvs,  libelli  iii.  Lat. 

Germ.     Tigur.  No  date.  i2mo. 

19. Historise  Naturalis  Animalium,  libri  v.  Quadrupedum, 

Avium,  Piscium,  et  Serpentum,     Tigur.      1551-1558.     5  vols.  fol. 

20.  Grotius,  Hugo :  His  Sophompaneas,  or  Joseph.     A  Tragedy.     With 

Annotations  by  Francis  Goldsmith,  Esq.  Lond.  No  date,  but 
printed  about  1634.  8vo. 

21.  Hakewill,   Rev.   George,   D.D.     An  Apology  or  Declaration   of   the 

Power  and  Providence  of  God  in  the  Government  of  the  World. 
Lond.  1630.  fol. 

22.  Herbert,   Rev.  George:  The   Temple.     Sacred   Poems   and   Private 

Ejaculations.      Cambr.  1633.  i2mo. 

23.  Heylin,  Rev.  Peter,  D.D.  :  Microcosmos.     A  Little   Description  of 

the  Great  World.     Ox/.  1633.  4to. 

24.  Josephus,    Flavins  :  Josephus's    History  :  or  the   Antiquities   of   the 

Jews.  Translated  into  English  by  Thomas  Lodge,  M.D.  Lond. 
1602.  fol. 

25.  Jovius,  Paulus  :  De  Romanis  Piscibus,  libellus.     Basil.  1531.  8vo. 

26.  Lessius,  Leonardus  :  Hygiasticon  :  or  the  right  course  of  preserving 

Life  and  Health  unto  extream  Old  Age.  Done  into  English  by 
T(imothy)  S(mith).      Cambr.  1634.  i2mo. 

27.  Liebault,  Dr.  J.  :  Maison  Rustique  :  or  the  Covntrey  Farme.     Com- 

pyled  in  the  French  Tongue  by  Charles  Stevens,  and  John  Lie- 
bavlt.  Doctors  of  Physicke.  And  Translated  into  English  by 
Richard  Svrflet,  Practitioner  in  Physicke.     Lond.  1616.  fol. 

28.  Matthiolus,  Pet.  Andr,  :  Epistolae  Medicinales.     Prag.  1561.  fol. 

29.  Montaigne,   Michael   De  :  The   Essayes,    or  Morall,    Politicke,    and 

Militarie  Discovrses  of  Lord  Michael  de  Montaigne,     Translated 
by  John  Florio.     Lond.  1632.  fol. 
3Q.   Moulin,  Rev.  Pierre  Du  :  The  Accomplishment  of  the  Prophecies,  or 
the  third  book  in  defence  of  the  Catholicke  Faith.     Translated  by 
J.  Heath.     Oxf,  x6x^ 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  315 

31.  Obel,  Matthew  De  L' :  Plantarum  seu  Stirpium  Historia,  cum  alio 

volumine  adversariorum ;  per  M.  de  L'Obel  et  P.  Peaen.     Antv. 

1576. 

32.  Overbury,  Sir  Thomas  :  His  Wife,  with  Additions  of  New  Characters 

and  many  other  witty  conceits  never  before  printed.  Lotid.  1638. 
i6to. 

33.  Pinto,  Ferdinand  Mendez  :  The  Voyages  and  Adventures  of  Ferdinand 

Mendez  Pinto.  Done  into  EngHsh  by  H(enry)  C(ogan)  Gent. 
Lond.  1633.  fol. 

34.  Pliny,  Junior  :  The  Historia  of   the  World.     Commonly  called    the 

Naturall  Historic  of  C.  Plinivs  Secvndvs.  Translated  into  English 
by  Philemon  Holland,  M.D.     Lond.  1601.  fol. 

35.  Plutarch  :  The  Lives  of  the  Noble  Grecians  and  Romanes,  compared 

together  by  that  graue  and  learned  Philosopher  and  Histori- 
ographer, Plutarke  of  Chseroneoe  :  Translated  out  of  Greeke  into 
French  by  James  Amyot,  Abbot  of  Bellozane,  &c.,  and  out  of 
French  into  Englishe  by  Thomas  North.  (Esq.  Controller  of  the 
Household  to  Queen  Elizabeth.)     Lond.  1579.  fol. 

36.  Rondeletius,  Gulielmus  :  Libri  de  Piscibus  Marinis  ;  in  quibus  verae 

Pisciura  effigies  expressae  sunt.     Ludg.  1554.  fol. 

37.  Royal    Society :  The    Philosophical    Transactions,    vol.     vi.     Lond, 

167 1.  4to. 

38.  Salvianus,  Hippolytus  :  Aqvatilivm  Animalivm  Historiae.     Rom.  1554. 

fol. 

39.  Sandys,  George  :  A  Relation  of  a  Journey  begun  An  :  Dom  :  i6io, 

Lond.  1615.  fol. 

40.  Sidney,  Sir  Philip :  The   Countess  of   Pembroke's   Arcadia.     Lond 

1655.  fol. 

41.  Topsell,  Rev.  Edw.  :  The  Historie  of  Fovre-Footed  Beastes.     Lond 

1607.  fol. 

42.  The  Historie  of  Serpents :  or  the  Seconde  Booke  of  Liuing 

Creatures.     Lond.  1608.  fol. 

43.  Wotton,  Sir  Henry  :  Reliquiae  Wottonianae.     Lond,  165 1.  i2mo. 

44.  Xenophon  :  The  Life  of  Cyrus,  translated  by  Philemon   Holland, 

M.D.     Lond.  1632.  fol. 


Page  28.     /,  Lzaak  Walton, 

With  respect  to  the  peculiar  orthography  employed  by  Walton  as  to  his 
Christian  name,  it  is  to  be  remembered,  that  in  his  time  it  was  frequently 
spelled  in  the  Scriptures  Izak,  Izaacke,  and  Izaack  ;  and  also  that  such  a 
manner  was  agreeable  to  the  original  Hebrew  of  the  word  Itxhak^  or 


3l6  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

Laughter,  vide  Gen.  xxi.  6.  In  this  circumstance  Walton  was,  most 
probably,  guided  by  some  of  the  many  learned  divines  with  whom  he  was 
acquainted. 

Page  31.      Witness,  Abraham  Mark  land. 

The  appearance  of  the  above  name  as  a  witness  to  Walton*s  Will,  is  an 
additional  proof  of  the  great  respect  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  most 
eminent  clergy  of  his  time.  Dr.  Abraham  Markland  was  a  Prebendary  of 
Winchester  Cathedral,  where  he  was  installed  the  4th  of  July,  1692  ;  and 
in  August,  1694,  he  was  named  Master  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Cross,  near 
the  above  city.  He  published  several  Poems,  in  1667,  4to,  composed  in 
that  retirement,  and  "A  Sermon,  preached  before  the  Aldermen  in  Guild- 
hall Chapel,"  Land.  1683.  4^°-  ■^^^'  Oxon.  Edit,  by  Bliss,  vol.  iv.  p. 
710.  The  above  circumstances  were  obligingly  pointed  out  by  his 
descendant  J.  H.  Markland,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  etc.  Walton's  Will,  which 
is  given  in  the  text,  is  recorded  in  the  Prerogative  Court  of  Canterbury,  in 
the  volume  called  I  Hare,  375,  Art.  24.  It  was  proved  by  the  Executors 
at  London,  on  February  the  4th,  1683-4,  before  Sir  Thomas  Exton  and 
Sir  Leoline  Jenkins. 

Page  41.     A  Conference  betwixt  an  Angler,  etc. 

The  First  Edition  of  the  Complete  Angler  has  not  any  descriptive  titles 
prefixed  to  the  chapters ;  but  the  leaf  immediately  preceding  the  com- 
mencement of  the  work  itself  contains  a  short  Table  of  Contents  to  the 
thirteen  chapters  of  which  that  edition  is  composed,  and  which  is  intro- 
duced in  the  following  manner  :  "Because  in  this  Discourse  of  Fish  and 
Fishing  I  have  not  observed  a  method,  which  (though  the  Discourse  be 
not  long)  may  be  some  inconvenience  to  the  Reader,  I  have  therefore  for 
his  easier  finding  out  some  particular  things  which  are  spoken  of,  made 
this  following  Table.  The  first  chapter  is  spent  in  a  vindication  or  com- 
mendation of  the  Art  of  Angling."  After  having  gone  through  the  Afhole 
number  of  chapters,  the  Table  concludes  with,  "These  directions  the 
Reader  may  take  as  an  ease  in  his  search  after  some  particular  Fish,  and 
the  baits  proper  for  them  ;  and  he  will  shew  himselfe  courteous  in  mend- 
ing or  passing  by  some  few  errors  in  the  Printer,  which  are  not  so  many 
but  that  they  may  be  pardoned."  In  the  Second  Edition,  there  were 
twenty-one  chapters,  entitled  as  they  are  in  the  foregoing  pages  ;  and  the 
Third  Edition  was  the  first  which  had  an  index. 

Page  41.      The  Thatched  House  in  Hoddesden. 

In  the  First  Edition,  there  are  but  two  characters  introduced  in  Chapter 
I.  :  Viator,  or  the  Wayfarer,  whose  name  in  the  Second  impression  was 
changed  to  Venator,  or  the  Hunter,  and  Piscator,  the  Fisherman.  In- 
stead, therefore,  of  the  dialogue  as  it  now  stands,  the  opening  passages 
were  originally  as  follow:  ^^ Piscator.     You  are  wel  overtaken  Sir;  m 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  ^if 

good  morning  to  you  ;  I  have  stretch' d  my  legs  up  Totnam  Hil  to  over- 
take you,  hoping  your  businesse  may  occasion  you  towards  Ware,  this  fine, 
pleasant,  fresh,  May-day  in  the  morning.  Viator.  Sir,  I  shall  almost 
answer  your  hopes ;  for  my  purpose  is  to  be  at  Hodsden  (three  miles  short 
of  that  town)  I  will  not  say,  before  I  drink,  but  before  I  break  my  fast : 
for  I  have  appointed  a  friend  or  two  to  meet  me  there  at  the  Thatcht- 
house,  about  nine  of  the  clock  this  morning  ;  and  that  made  me  so  early 
up,  and,  indeed,  to  walk  so  fast.  Fisc.  Sir,  I  know  the  Thatcht-house 
very  well  :  I  often  make  it  my  resting  place,  and  taste  a  cup  of  ale  there, 
for  which  liquor  that  place  is  very  remarkable  ;  and  to  that  house  I  shall 
by  your  favour  accompany  you,  and  either  abate  of  my  pace,  or  mend  it, 
to  enjoy  such  a  companion  as  you  seem  to  be,  knowing  that  (as  the 
Italians  say,")  etc.  Pages  i,  2.  The  Thatcht-house  is  stated  by  the  Rev. 
Moses  Browne,  in  a  note  in  his  Third  Edition  of  the  Complete  Angler, 
Land.  1772,  i2mo,  p.  I,  to  be  "seventeen  miles  from  London  on  the 
Ware  road."  It  is  now  quite  unknown  ;  but  it  has  been  supposed  that  a 
thatched  cottage,  once  distinguished  by  the  sign  of  the  Buffalo's  Head, 
standing  at  the  farther  end  of  Hoddesdon,  on  the  left  of  the  road  in  going 
towards  Ware,  about  seventeen  miles  and  half  distant  from  Londoiv,  was 
the  actual  building. 

Page  41.     Mews  a  Hawk, 

Mew,  derived  from  the  old  French  Mu^,  signifies  a  change,  or  the  period 
when  birds  and  other  animals  moult,  or  cast  their  feathers,  hairs,  or  horns: 
hence  Latham  observes  that  the  ^^  Mew  is  that  place,  whether  it  be  abroad 
or  in  the  house,  where  you  set  down  your  hawk  during  the  time  she  rais- 
eth  (or  reproduces)  her  feathers."  In  the  above  passage,  the  term  refers 
to  the  care  with  which  a  hawk  should  be  kept  in  her  mewing-time  ;  and  in 
"The  Gentleman*s  Academic,  or  the  Book  of  St.  Alban's, "  Lond.  1595. 
4to.  Edit,  by  Gerv.  Markham,  there  are  several  sections  on  the  mewing  of 
hawks  ;  from  one  of  which,  p.  9,  it  may  be  learned  that  the  best  time  to 
commence,  is  in  the  beginning  of  Lent,  and,  if  well  kept,  the  bird  will 
be  mewed  by  the  beginning  of  August. 

Page  42.     Hunting  the  Otter, 

In  pursuing  this  sport,  which  is  now  almost  obsolete,  the  huntsmen  as- 
sembled on  each  side  of  the  river  where  an  otter  was  supposed  to  harbor, 
beating  up  the  hollow  banks,  reed-beds,  and  sedges,  with  hounds  kept 
solely  for  that  purpose  ;  and,  if  the  game  were  at  hand,  its  *'  j^a/,"  or  the 
impression  produced  by  the  round  ball  under  the  soles  of  the  feet,  were 
soon  discovered  in  the  mud.  Every  hunter  was  armed  with  a  spear,  to 
assist  the  dogs,  and  attack  the  animal  when  it  came  to  the  surface  of  the 
water  to  breathe  or  vent ;  but  if  the  otter  were  not  found  by  the  river-side. 
It  was  traced  by  the  seal,  the  fragments  of  the  prey,  and  the  ^^  sfraints^ 


3l8  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

or  soil,  up  the  stream  inland  to  the  place  where  it  had  gone  to  couch. 
The  otter  when  wounded,  as  it  is  noticed  on  page  75,  bites  violently,  and 
makes  towards  land  ;  although  the  male-otter  never  utters  a  cry,  but  the 
pregnant  females  give  a  very  shrill  scream.  When  the  otter  fastens  upon 
the  dogs  in  the  water,  it  dives  with  them,  carries  them  far  below  the  sur- 
face, and  will  seldom  give  up  or  quit  its  hold  but  with  life.  The  hunting 
of  an  otter  will  last  three  and  four  hours,  and  the  most  fatal  time  for  the 
pursuit  is  in  snow  and  hard  frost :  an  unbaited  gin  set  near  the  landing- 
place  of  otters  is  also  used  to  destroy  them.  Daniel.  Otter-dogs,  which 
are  mentioned  a  short  distance  below  the  line  above  quoted,  are  a  breed 
between  the  harrier  and  the  terrier,  and  are  hounds  of  great  strength  and 
activity.  The  following  extract  from  the  Whitehall  Evening  Post  of  May, 
1760,  was  communicated  for  the  first  impression  of  this  Edition  of  The 
Complete  Angler,  twenty-one  years  since,  by  the  late  Joseph  Haslewood, 
as  showing  the  time  when  otter-hunting  in  England  began  to  decline. 

"To  be  Disposed  of,  At  Barton  under  Need  wood,  near  Litchfield, 
Staffordshire,  Otter-Hounds,  exceeding  staunch,  and  thoroughly  well 
trained  to  the  hunting  of  this  Animal.  The  Pack  consists  of  nine  Couple 
and  a  Terrier,  and  are  esteemed  to  be  as  good,  if  not  the  best,  Hounds  in 
the  Kingdom,  In  the  Winter  Season  they  hunt  the  Hare,  except  about 
two  Couple  and  a  half  that  are  trained  to  the  Otter  only  ;  but  there  are 
about  two  Couple  of  Harriers,  that  have  never  been  entered  at  the  Otter, 
which  will  go  with  the  rest ;  beside  three  Couple  of  Year-old  Hounds,  now 
fit  to  enter  at  either  or  both  ;  and  one  Couple  of  Whelps,  ready  to  go  to 
Walks.  The  greatest  part  of  them  are  the  Blood  of  as  high  bred  a  Fox- 
Hound  as  any  in  England.  The  Proprietor  disposes  of  them  for  the  two 
following  reasons  only  :  First,  because  all  the  Otters  except  about  three 
or  four  are  killed  within  this  Hunt,  which  consists  of  all  the  Rivers  in  this 
Country,  (except  the  Dove,  where  Otters  are  not  to  be  killed  with  Hounds,) 
Leicestershire,  and  Warwickshire ;  but  more  especially,  because  the  Pro- 
prietor finds  himself  too  infirm  to  follow  them.  None  but  Principals  will 
be  treated  with.  Direct  to  Walter  Biddulph,  of  Barton  aforesaid,  Esq. : 
by  whom  all  letters  from  Principals  will  be  duly  answered. 

**  N.B.  Mr.  Biddulph  has  killed  within  these  last  six  Years  with  these 
Hounds,  above  Burton  upon  Trent  only,  seventy-four  Otters.  There  are 
six  Spears  to  be  disposed  of  with  the  Hounds." 

Page  42.     Noble  Mr.  Sadler. 

Ralph  Sadler,  or  Sadleir,  of  Standon,  in  the  County  of  Hertford,  Esq. ; 
only  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Thomas  Sadler,  and  grandson  of  Sir  Ralph  Sadler, 
Knight-Banneret,  celebrated  in  the  times  of  Henry  VIIL,  Edward  VI., 
Mary,  and  Elizabeth.  He  married,  in  1601,  Anne  Paston,  eldest  daughter 
of  the  very  eminent  Sir  Edward  Coke,  Lord  Chief-Justice  ;  in  1606,  he 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  3 19 

succeeded  to  the  family-seat  of  Standon,  and  he  died  without  issue,  on 
February  the  I2th,  1660  (1661)  j  Scotfs  Sadler's  Papers.  He  appears  to 
have  had  a  great  attacliment  to  angling,  and  Sir  Henry  Chauncey,  in  his 
Historical  Antiquities  of  Hertfordshire,  p.  219,  says  of  him,  that  "he 
brought  an  action  of  trespass  Qtiare  vi  et  armis  against  John  Hyat  in  the 
Court  of  King's  Bench,  for  fishing  in  the  river  Standon  leading  through 
his  own  land,  and  for  erecting  a  weir  there  ;  and  he  obtained  judgment 
thereupon.  He  delighted  much  in  hawking  and  hunting,  and  the  pleas- 
ures of  a  country  life  ;  was  famous  for  his  noble  table,  his  great  hospitality 
to  his  neighbors,  and  his  abundant  charity  to  the  poor."  The  original 
edition  of  Walton's  work  in  this  part  reads  as  follows.  "  Viator.  In- 
deed, Sir,  a  little  business  and  more  pleasure  :  for  my  purpose  is  to  be- 
stow a  day  or  two  in  hunting  the  otter,  which  my  friend,  that  I  go  to 
meet,  tells  me  is  more  pleasant  than  any  hunting  whatsoever :  and,  having 
despatched  a  little  business  this  day,  my  purpose  is  to-morrow  to  follow 

the  dogs  of  honest  Mr.  ,  who  hath  appointed  me  and  my  friend  to 

meet  him  upon  Amwell-hill  to-morrow  morning  by  daybreak." 

Page  43.     According  to  Lucian. 

The  First  Edition  of  the  Complete  Angler  has  these  verses  placed  im- 
mediately after  the  extract  from  Montaigne,  which  was  introduced  by  the 
same  remarks  which  now  precede  it,  upon  Viator's  answer  to  that  speech 
of  Piscator,  in  which  he  declares  himself  an  enemy  to  the  Otter,  both  on 
the  account  of  his  brother-anglers  and  his  own.  At  page  5,  in  the  original 
impression.  Viator^  who  is  the  subsequent  Venator,  though  without  his 
discourse  in  praise  of  Hunting,  says  :  "Sir,  to  be  plain  with  you,  I  am 
sorry  you  are  an  Angler  :  for  I  have  heard  many  grave,  serious  men  pitie, 
and  many  pleasant  men  scoffe,  at  Anglers."  Piscator's  reply  is  then  nearly 
the  same  as  it  now  appears,  with  the  transposition  already  mentioned  ; 
but  at  the  end  of  the  sentence  * '  and  I  hope  I  may  take, "  etc. ,  see  page  50, 
he  continues  :  "  But,  if  this  satisfie  not,  I  pray  bid  the  scoffer  put  this  Epi- 
gram in  his  pocket,  and  read  it  every  morning  for  his  breakfast  (for  I  wish 
him  no  better) ;  Hee  shall  find  it  fixed  before  the  Dialogues  of  Lucian,  who 
may  justly  be  accounted  the  father  of  the  family  of  all  scoffers  :  And, 
though  I  owe  none  of  that  fraternitie  so  much  as  good-will,  yet  I  have 
taken  a  little  pleasant  pains  to  make  such  a  conversion  of  it  as  may  make 
it  the  fitter  for  all  of  that  fraternity."  The  translation  of  Lucian  alluded 
to  by  Walton  is  entitled  "  Certain  select  Dialogues  of  Lucian :  together 
with  his  true  history,"  translated  from  the  Greek  into  English  by  Mr. 
Francis  Hickes.  0.r/i7r</,  1634,  4to.  The  book  was  published  by  Thomas 
Hickes,  M.  A.,  the  son  of  the  translator  ;  and  at  the  end  of  an  address 
**To  the  honest  and  judicious  reader,"  is  the  Epigram  already  referred 
to,  printed  in  Greek  and  English,  and  signed  T.  H,     The  original  lines, 


$70  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

taken  from  the  copy  of  this  volume  in  the  Library  of  Sion  College,  Lon- 
don, are  as  follow : 

••  Lucian,  well  skill'd  in  old  toyes,  this  hath  writ: 
For  all 's  but  folly  that  men  thinke  is  wit ; 
No  settled  judgement  doth  in  men  appear:— 
But  ihou  admirest  that  which  others  jeer.'* 

Page  43.     TAg  learned  and  ingenuous  Montaigne  says. 

The  original  edition,  in  this  place,  reads,  "And  as  for  any  Scoffer,  *  qui 
wiockat,  mockahiturj*  Let  mee  tell  you,  (that  you  may  tell  him)  what  the 
wittie  French-man  sayes  in  such  a  case."  The  extract  then  follows,  and 
a  marginal  note  refers  to  the  authority.  The  edition  of  Montaigne's  Essays 
used  by  Walton  was  in  all  probability  that  marked  No.  29  in  the  foregoing 
list :  the  passage  alluded  to  will  be  found  in  Chap,  xii.,  "An  Apologie  of 
Raymond  de  Sebonde,"  and  on  page  250  of  the  volume;  but  the  para- 
phrase which  has  been  given  at  the  place  above  quoted  is  far  more  beauti- 
ful and  copious  than  the  original.  Michel  de  Montaigne,  whose  amusing 
and  instructive  Essays  Walton  seems  carefully  to  have  read,  was  born  at 
the  Chateau  de  Montagne,  in  Perigord,  on  February  the  28th,  1533.  As 
soon  as  he  could  speak  he  was  sent  into  Germany  to  learn  Latin,  which  he 
understood  perfectly  when  he  was  only  six  years  old  ;  the  Greek  he  also 
acquired  with  considerable  ease  ;  and  by  the  time  he  was  thirteen,  his 
education  was  finished.  As  he  was  intended  for  the  profession  of  the  law, 
he  married  Fran9oise  de  la  Chassaigne,  the  daughter  of  a  Councillor  of 
the  Parliament  of  Bourdeaux ;  but  although  he  was  extensively  employed 
and  caressed  in  Germany,  Switzerland,  and  Italy,  the  retirement  of  study 
was  most  congenial  to  his  feelings.  Charles  IX.  of  France  invested  him 
with  the  Order  of  St.  Michael,  and  he  died  on  his  own  estate  on  the  15th 
of  September,  1592.  His  principal  work  is  his  Moral,  Political,  and  Mili- 
tary Essays,  which  are  replete  with  information  on  all  subjects,  and  espe- 
cially on  natural  history ;  but  he  also  published  a  volume  of  travels,  and  a 
French  translation  of  the  Natural  Theology  of  Raymond  de  Sebonde. 
John  Florio,  the  Resolute,  as  he  styled  himself,  who  made  that  translation 
of  Montaigne's  Essays,  consulted  by  Walton,  was  the  son  of  Italian  parents 
who  were  Waldenses,  and  who  fled  to  London  to  avoid  the  Papal  perse- 
cutions. In  that  city  he  was  born  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  Florio 
taught  Italian  and  French  in  the  University  of  Oxford,  and  also  to  Anne, 
the  Queen  of  James  I.,  and  Prince  Henry  his  son.  He  died  of  the  plague 
at  Fulham,  in  1625,  at  the  age  of  80. 

Page  44,     /  hope  in  time  to  disabuse  you. 

This  expression  is  now  nearly  obsolete  ;  it  is  derived  from  the  old  French 
Desabuser^  to  undeceive.  In  Chap.  iii.  page  lor,  the  same  word  occurs 
i^ain,  and  in  th^  Rev.  H.  J.  Todd's  edition  of  Dr.  Johnson's  Dictionary, 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  321 

the  first  of  the  foregoing  passages  is  given,  as  one  of  the  authorities  for  the 
use  of  the  expression.  The  verb  to  abuse,  put  for  deception,  will  be  found 
in  Wotton's  verses  on  page  229. — "Abused  mortals,  did  you  know."  In 
the  original  edition  of  this  work,  in  which  there  are  two  speakers  only  in 
the  first  chapter,  the  dialogue  immediately  passes  to  Piscator's  illustrationi 
ol  the  antiquity  of  angling. 

Page  47.      Varro  his  Aviary. 

In  Book  IV.  section  7,  and  page  388,  of  Dr.  Hakewill's  Apology,  No. 
21  in  the  preceding  list,  are  several  particulars  of  Varro's  passion  for  birds, 
and  his  extensive  aviaries,  quoted  from  himself,  Lucius  Accius,  and  Colu- 
mella, with  particular  references  to  each.  Marcus  Terentius  Varro  was 
a  very  learned  Roman,  who  was  Lieutenant  10  Pompey  in  his  piratical  wars, 
and  who  obtained  a  naval  crown.  Cicero  greatly  commends  his  erudi- 
tion, and  to  him  he  dedicated  his  five  books  "De  Lingua  Latina,"  in  his 
eightieth  year.  Beside  these  he  wrote  nearly  five  hundred  volumes,  which 
.are  now  all  lost,  excepting  a  Treatise  De  Re  Rustica,  in  Book  IIL  of  which 
some  notices  of  his  aviary  may  be  found. 

Page  47.      This  for  the  Birds  of  Pleasure. 

To  these  may  with  propriety  be  added  the  practice  of  the  Persian  Kings 
mentioned  by  Robert  Burton  in  his  "Anatomy  of  Melancholy,"  Z<7«^.  1676, 
fol.  part  2,  sect.  2,  memb.  4,  page  169,  col.  i,  which  he  quotes  from  Sir 
Anthony  Shirley's  Travels.  "The  Persian  Kings,"  says  he,  "hawk  after 
butterflies  with  sparrows  made  to  that  use,  and  Starrs  (starlings) :  lesser 
hawks  for  lesser  games  they  have  and  bigger  for  the  lest,  that  they  may 
produce  their  sport  to  all  seasons.  The  Muscovian  Emperours  reclaim 
eagles  to  let  fly  at  hindes,  foxes,  etc.,  and  such  a  one  was  sent  for  a  pres- 
ent to  Queen  Elizabeth  :  some  reclaim  ravens,  castrils  (young  kites  or 
bastard-hawks),  pies,  etc.,  and  man  them  for  pleasure."  In  the  very  en- 
tertaining Life  of  Edward,  Lord  Herbert  of  Cherbury,  Lond.  1778,  4to,  p. 
134,  it  is  related  that  M.  De  Luynes,  subsequently  Prime  Minister  of 
France  in  the  early  years  of  Louis  XIII.,  "gained  much  upon  the  King 
by  making  hawks  fly  at  all  little  birds  in  his  gardens,  and  by  making  some 
of  those  little  birds  again  catch  butterflies."     Hawkins. 

Page  47.     Mr.  G.  Sandys  in  his  Travels, 

George  Sandys,  or  Sandies,  was  the  seventh  or  youngest  son  of  Dr.  Ed- 
win Sandys,  Archbishop  of  York  from  1576  to  1588,  and  was  born  in  the 
Archiepiscopal  palace  at  Bishopsthorpe  in  1577.  In  1588  he  was  entered 
of  St.  Mary's  Hall,  Oxford ;  and  in  August,  1610,  he  departed  on  his 
travels  through  Europe  and  Asia,  which  occupied  two  years,  and  of  which 
he  published  an  account  in  folio,  with  many  plates,  in  1615,  and  repeat- 
edly reprinted.  Sandys  was  not  only  pious,  learned,  and  accomplished, 
but  he  was  also  ope  of  the  best  versifiers  of  his  time  \  and  in  poetry  h« 


322  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

published  **  Ovid*s  Metamorphoses  Englished,"  1626,  folio  ;  A  Paraphrase 
upon  the  Psalms  of  David,  etc.,  1636,  octavo  ;  Christ's  Passion,  a  Tragedy, 
translated  from  H.  Grotius,  1640,  i2mo ;  and  a  Paraphrase  upon  the  Song 
of  Solomon,  1641,  4to.  He  died  in  1643.  The  passage  in  his  Travels 
alluded  to  in  the  text  will  be  found  in  No.  39  of  the  foregoing  list,  p. 
209. 

T&ge  47.      TAg  Dffve  7vas  sent  out  of  the  ark  by  Noah. 

Genesis,  chap.  viii.  8-12.  The  Offering  of  Turtle-doves  or  Pigeons,  re« 
ferred  to  immediately  after,  will  be  found  in  Leviticus  xii.  6,  8,  and  Luk« 
ii.  24.  The  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  also  mentioned  in  the  same  para« 
graph,  is  related  in  St  Matthew  iii.  16  ;  St.  Mark  i.  10  ;  St.  Luke  iii.  22  ) 
and  St.  John  L  32.  With  the  exception  of  the  third  reference,  however, 
the  words  imply  that  the  Holy  Spirit  descended  in  the  manner  of  a  Dove, 
overshadowing  and  covering  that  which  is  beneath  ;  but  Dr.  Whitby,  in 
his  "Paraphrase  and  Commentary  on  the  New  Testament,"  Lond.  1727, 
f ol.  vol.  i.  p.  370,  says  that  even  that  passage  has  the  same  meaning,  since 
it  is  not  a  bodily  form  as  of  a  Dove,  but  as  a  Dove,  which  is  similar  to  the 
phrase  used  in  Acts  iL  3,  as  of  Fire.  "This  bodily  shape,"  he  continues, 
**  seems  rather  to  have  been  that  of  light,  or  of  a  bright  cloud,  in  which 
God  usually  appeared  under  the  Old  Testament,  and  from  which  he  spake, 
and  which  is  usually  called  *the  Glory  of  the  Lord.'  "  Dr.  Doddridge,  in 
his  "Family  Expositor,"  Lond.  1760,  4to,  vol.  i.  p.  115,  Note  g,  says, 
that  the  phrase  might  have  been  used  without  any  actual  appearance,  "but 
only  a  lambent  flame  falling  from  Heaven  with  a  dove-like  motion,  which 
Dr.  Scot,  in  his  Christian  Life,  vol.  iii.  p.  66,  supposes  to  have  been  all. 
Dr.  Owen  and  Grotius  think  it  was  a  bright  flame  in  the  shape  of  a  Dove, 
and  Justin  Martyr  adds,  that  all  Jordan  shone  with  the  reflection  of  the 
light."  See  also  Dr.  Henry  Hammond's  "Paraphrase  and  Annotations 
on  the  New  Testament,"  and  Bishop  Jeremy  Taylor's  "Ductor  Dubi- 
tantium. "     Hawkins. 

Page  48.     The  laborious  Bee,  of  whose  prudence,  etc. 

The  following  work  was  doubtless  in  Walton's  memory  when  this  pas- 
sage was  written.  "  The  Feminine  Monarchie  :  or  the  Historie  of  Bees. 
Shewing  their  admirable  nature  and  properties,  their  generation  and 
colonies,  their  gouemment,  loyaltie,  art,  Industrie,  enemies,  warres,  mag* 
nanimitie,  etc.  Together  vnth  the  right  ordering  of  them  from  time  to 
time  :  and  the  sweet  profit  arising  therefrom.  Written  out  of  experiment 
by  Charles  Butler.     Lond.  1623.  4to."    Hawkins. 

Page  48.     And  now  to  return  to  my  Hawks. 

This  part  of  the  text  may  be  illustrated  by  referring  to  the  ensuing 
Tolumes,  which  are  considered  as  being  the  best  that  are  extant  on  the 
subject  of  Falconry.     '*  The  Bookc  of  Falgonric,"  by  George  Turbervillep 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  3-23 

tiT  English  poet,  born  about  1530,  1575,  4to,  "The  Gentleman's  Acad- 
enrae,"  Lond.  1595,  4to,  and  '*  Country  Contentments,"  Lond.  1675,  4*0, 
by  Gervase  Markham.  **  Falconrie,"  in  Two  Books,  Lond.  1658,  4to,  and 
**  Another  New  and  Second  Book  of  Falconry,"  Lond.  1618,  4to,  by  Simon 
Latham.  Hmvkins.  The  eulogies  on  Hawking  and  Hunting  are  not  in 
Walton's  First  Edition. 

Page  50.     The  Ficfut^  the  Fulimart,  the  Mouldwarp. 

It  has  been  ascertained  that  the  first  two  of  these  names  were  anciently 
applied  indiscriminately  to  the  Ferret  and  the  Polecat ;  but  the  Fitchet, 
Fitchel,  or  Fitchew  is  a  name  most  commonly  appropriated  to  the  Weasel, 
and  it  is  supposed  is  derived  of  the  Teutonic  Visse,  Fisse,  or  Vitche,  an 
extremely  rank  animal  of  the  Mustek  or  Weasel  genus.  Dr.  Skinner,  in 
his  Etymologicon  Linguae  Anglicanae,  Lond.  1671,  fol.,  under  the  word 
Fulimart,  states  that  "  it  is  a  word  which  is  not  in  any  place  excepting  in 
the  book  called  The  Complete  Angler";  but  it  may  be  observed  that 
Juliana  Barnes,  in  the  Book  of  St.  Albans,  speaks  of  the  Fulmarde  as  one 
of  the  rascal  beasts  of  chase  ;  and  Strutt,  in  his  **  Sports  and  Pastimes  of 
the  People  of  England,"  Lond,  1801,  p.  14,  places  it  as  one  of  the  animals 
of  rank,  pr  fetid  flight,  which  leave  a  foul  scent  behind  them.  In  Dr. 
Adam  Lyttleton's  Dictionary,  it  is  called  **  a  fetid  mouse  of  Pontus"  ;  and 
Phillips,  in  his  "  World  of  Words,"  explains  it  to  be  a  species  of  Polecat, 
in  which  sense  the  word  Fowmarte  is  still  used  in  Scotland.  Francis 
Junius  calls  it  "Fullmer,  that  is  the  same  as  Polecat,  a  Marten.  It  is 
from  the  Teutonic  Ful,  Fetid,  and  Merder,  a  Marten.  Also  in  the  Belgic 
it  is  now  called  Visse,  which  was  formerly  Fiest,  from  its  offensive  smell. " 
Etymologicum  Anglicanum.  Oxon.  1743,  fol.  The  Mouldwarp  is  a  name 
of  the  Mole,  compounded  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  words  Molde,  dust,  and 
Weorpan,  to  cast.  "We  call,"  says  Verstegan,  "in  some  parts  of  Eng- 
land, a  mole  a  Mouldwarp,  which  is  as  much  as  to  say  a  cast-earth." 

Page  50,     Hott)  could  Cleopatra  have  feasted  Mark  Antony. 

See  North's  Translation  of  Plutarch's  Lives,  No.  35  of  the  preceding 
list,  page  982.     Marginal  letter  D.  of  that  volume. 

Page  50.      One  of  the  qualifications  that  Xenophon,  etc. 

The  Edition  of  the  Cyropaedia  used  by  Walton  was  in  all  probability 
that  marked  No.  44  in  the  preceding  list ;  and  the  passage  referred  to  is 
in  the  first  book.  In  the  translation  of  this  author  by  the  Hon.  Maurice 
Ashley,  Lond.  1728,  8vo,  it  will  be  found  in  vol.  i.  p.  84. 

Page  52.     Moses  y     .     .     .     who  was  called  the  friend  of  God, 

This  title  in  the  Scriptures  is  usually  applied  to  Abraham,  see  2  Chron. 
?Bt.  7,  Isaiah  xli.  8,  James  ii.  23  ;  but  in  Exodus  xxxiii.  11,  it  is  said  that 
*•'  Stod  spake  to  Moses  as  a  man  to  his  friend."  Walton  has  another  pas- 
w^.  similar  to  th^  Urc  ?it?d  aiboye,  op  page  67,     Th?  r^ffsrpnce  relating 


^24  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER. 

io  the  learning  of  Moses,  mentioned  on  page  52,  is  to  Acts  vii.  22  ;  and 
*hat  which  alludes  to  his  meekness  is  to  Numbers  xiii.  3. 

Page  53.     He  that  shall  view  the  writings  of  Macrobius  or  Varro, 

This  passage  occurs  first  in  the  Second  Edition  of  The  Complete  Angler, 
1655  ;  and  the  materials  of  it  are  taken,  with  little  alteration  in  the  lan- 
guage, from  lib.  iv.  sect.  6,  p.  434,  of  Dr.  Hakewill's  Apology,  etc,  ;  see 
the  preceding  list.  No.  21.  Aurelius  Macrobius  was  a  Latin  writer  of  the 
fourth  century,  who  is  by  some  supposed  to  have  been  a  Christian,  and 
Chamberlain  to  the  Emperor  Theodosius  II,  His  principal  production  is 
the  *'  Saturnalia  Convivia,"  in  seven  books,  consisting  of  a  miscellaneous 
collection  of  antiquities  and  criticisms,  supposed  to  have  been  derived 
from  the  conversation  of  some  learned  Romans,  during  the  Saturnalian 
Festival.  The  circumstances  mentioned  in  the  text  will  be  found  in  lib. 
ii.  cap.  xi.  of  that  work.  He  also  vvrrote  a  Commentary  on  Cicero* s  Som- 
nium  Scipionis,  and  many  other  books  which  are  now  lost  ;  but  his  latinity 
is  often  corrupt,  as  he  was  not  born  in  a  part  of  the  Roman  Empire  where 
the  Latin  language  was  spoken.  The  passage  taken  from  Varro  will  be 
found  in  his  book.      *'  De  Re  Rustica,"  lib.  iii.  cap.  xvii. 

Page  54.     A  most  learned  physician^  Dr.   Wharton. 

Dr.  Thomas  Wharton  was  descended  from  an  ancient  family  in  York- 
shire, and  was  originally  educated  at  Pembroke  Hall,  Cambridge  ;  whence 
he  removed  to  Trinity  College,  Oxford,  before  the  breaking  out  of  the 
civil  wars.  On  the  commencement  of  the  rebellion,  he  came  up  to  Lon- 
don, and  practised  physic  under  the  eminent  Dr.  John  Bathurst,  until 
1646,  when  he  again  returned  to  his  college,  and,  through  the  recommen- 
dation of  Lord  Fairfax,  was  created  M.D.  early  in  1647.  ^"^  1650  he  was 
admitted  a  Fellow  of  the  College  of  Physicians  in  London,  where  he  re- 
sided in  Aldersgate  Street,  and  remained  in  the  city  throughout  the  whole 
of  the  last  Plague  of  1665.  He  died  at  his  house  on  the  14th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1673.  ^^  published  an  excellent  description  of  the  Glands,  written 
in  Latin,  which  was  printed  at  London  in  1656,  8vo.  Amsterd.  1659. 
Hawkins.  Dr.  Wharton's  name  was  not  inserted  in  the  text  at  this  place 
till  the  Edition  of  1676 ;  and  the  First  is  entirely  without  the  eulogy  on 
water.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  whole  of  these  passages  relating  to 
Hawking,  Hunting,  and  Angling  are  copied  almost  verbatim,  in  a  very  pop- 
ular and  well-k»own  work,  entitled  "  The  Gentleman's  Recreation  "  ;  of 
which  the  first  edition  was  printed  in  1674,  six  years  after  the  fourth  edi- 
-vion  of  Walton's  Angler  ;  and  that  portion  of  The  Gentleman's  Recreation 
which  treats  of  Fishing  is  merely  an  abstract  of  Walton's  researches.  An- 
♦»ther  imitation  of  this  author,  although  of  a  much  slighter  extent,  may  be 
<t)und  in  the  Works  of  Bishop  Home,  Edit,  by  W.  Jones,  Lond.  1809, 
Jjvo,  voL  vt.  p.  537,  in  a  pisgo^rse  composed  at  Brighthelmston,  entitled 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  325 

•*  Considerations  on  the  Sea."  This  similarity  was  pointed  out  to  the  Edi- 
tor by  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  T.  Barrett,  of  Westminster. 

Page  55.     J  see  Theobald'' s  House. 

This  favorite  palace  of  King  James  I.  formerly  stood  in  a  large  Manor 
called  Thebaudes,  in  the  County  of  Hertford,  and  Parish  of  Cheshunt, 
somewhat  north  of  the  Ware  road,  about  twelve  miles  from  London.  It 
was  erected  about  the  year  1570,  by  John  Thorpe,  for  Secretary  Cecil, 
afterwards  Lord-Treasurer  Burghley.  On  the  27th  of  July,  1564,  Eliza- 
beth made  her  first  visit  to  the  house  ;  and,  having  probably  expressed 
her  intention  of  repeating  it,  by  her  second  progress  to  Theobald's  on  the 
22d  of  September,  15  71,  it  was  considerably  enlarged  and  improved. 
During  her  reign,  the  Queen  went  thither  twelve  different  times  ;  at  some 
of  which,  the  expenses  of  her  entertainment  amounted  to  from  £2,000  to 
;^3,ooo.  On  the  death  of  Lord  Burghley,  he  was  succeeded  at  Theobald's 
by  his  son  Robert,  subsequently  the  Earl  of  Salisbury ;  who,  on  the  3d  of 
May,  1603,  entertained  King  James  I.,  then  on  his  journey  to  London  to 
assume  the  English  Crown.  This  costly  entertainment  was  repeated  in 
1606,  when  that  sovereign  was  accompanied  by  Christiern  IV.,  King  of 
Denmark,  and,  from  these  visits,  King  James  became  so  great  an  admirer 
of  Theobald's,  that  he  at  length  exchanged  for  it  the  Palace  of  Hatfield  ; 
after  which  it  became  his  favorite  residence,  and  he  died  there  on  March 
the  27th,  1625.  His  son  Charles  also  occasionally  lived  at  Theobald's  : 
he  there  received  the  Petition  from  the  Parliament  in  1642,  and  it  was 
thence  he  went  to  assume  the  command  of  his  army.  In  1650,  after  a 
minute  Parliamentary  survey,  and  some  disputes  concerning  its  sale,  the 
greater  part  of  Theobald's  was  taken  down,  and  the  amount  received  for 
the  materials  sold  employed  for  the  use  of  the  army.  About  1660,  George 
Monk,  Duke  of  Albemarle,  received  Theobald's  by  patent  from  King 
Charles  II.  ;  but  on  the  failure  of  male  issue  in  the  second  Duke  Christo- 
pher, the  property  again  returned  to  the  Crown.  In  1689,  King  William 
III.  issued  a  patent  granting  it  to  William  Bentinck,  Earl  of  Portland  ; 
but  about  1762,  it  was  sold  to  George  Prescott,  Esq.,  from  whom  it  has 
ultimately  descended  to  Sir  George  William  Prescott,  Bart.,  the  present 
possessor.  Of  the  magnificence  of  the  Palace  at  Theobald's,  some  idea 
may  be  formed  from  the  particular  description  given  of  it  in  the  Life  of 
Lord  Burghley,  in  Peck's  "  Desiderata  Curiosa"  ;  that  by  Sir  Paul  Hentz- 
ner  ;  that  in  the  "Voyages  Celebres"  of  the  Sieur  Jean  Albert  de  Man- 
delslo  ;  that  in  the  Parliamentary  Survey  of  1650,  already  mentioned  ; 
and  also  from  a  short  notice  in  the  "Description  of  Hertfordshire,"  by 
John  Norden.  See  also  the  Rev.  Daniel  Lysons's  "  Environs  of  London," 
vol.  iv.  pp.  29-39,  and  '*  Clutterbuck's  History  and  Antiquities  of  the 
County  of  Hertford,"  vol.  ii.  pp.  87-95,  ^^hence  the  foregoing  account  has 


326  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

been  abstracted.  There  are  two  small  old  views  of  the  exterior  of  this 
mansion,  by  John  Stent  and  Peter  King  ;  but  the  best  is  that  published  by 
the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  in  1765^  in  the  second  volume  of  the  "Vetusta 
Monumenta,"  under  the  name  of  Richmond  Palace,  from  a  painting  by  Vin- 
kcnboom.  It  was  identified  as  Theobald's  in  The  Gentleman*s  Magazine, 
for  September,  1836,  and  engraven  as  an  illustration  in  Mr.  Pickering's 
edition  of  the  Complete  Angler.  In  1840,  in  the  first  volume  of  Mr.  C.  J. 
Richardson's  Architectural  Remains  of  Elizabeth  and  James  I.  Part  ii. 
plate  X.  were  published  for  the  first  time  fac-similes  of  Thorpe's  original 
plans  of  the  basement  and  ground-floor  of  Theobald's  Palace,  from  the 
collection  of  the  architect's  drawings  in  the  Museum  of  Sir  John  Soane. 
The  fragments  of  the  old  Theobald's  House  were  taken  down  about  1765, 
the  present  building  standing  on  a  rising  ground,  about  a  mile  to  the 
northwest  of  the  ancient  site.  Theobald's  House  is  not  mentioned  in  the 
First  Edition  of  the  Contemplative  Man's  Recreation. 

Page  56.      Then  first,  for  the  antiqtcity  of  Angling. 

At  this  place,  in  Walton's  First  Edition,  p.  12,  there  is  a  marginal  refer- 
ence to  **  J.  Da.  Jer.  Mar."  as  the  authorities  which  furnished  this  para- 
graph ;  which  are  certainly  meant  for  John  Davors,  and  Jervis  or  Gervase 
Markham.  The  beautiful  verses  by  the  former  of  these  persons,  on  prge 
70,  have  been,  however,  considered  to  belong  rather  to  a  John  Dennys  ; 
since  those  stanzas  which  in  the  First  Edition  of  Walton,  p.  35,  are  marked 
Jo.  Da.,  afterwards  extended  into  Davors,  form  a  part  of  a  very  rare  poem 
entitled  "The  Secrets  of  Angling,  by  J.  D.,  Esquire,"  first  printed  in 
octavo  in  1613.  In  a  modern  reprint  of  this  very  curious  work,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  Books  of  the  Stationers'  Company  gave  an  account 
of  this  poem  and  the  Author.  *'  1612.  33°  Martij.  Mr.  Rog.  Jackson  en- 
tred  for  his  copie  under  th'ands  of  Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Warden  Hooper, 
a  booke  called  the  Secrete  of  Angling,  teaching  the  choycest  tooles,  bates, 
and  seasons,  for  the  taking  of  any  fish  in  any  pond  or  river,  practised  and 
opened  in  three  bookes,  by  John  Dennis,  Esquire."  It  is,  however,  pos- 
sible that  John  Davors  was  a  maternal  relative  of  the  author,  and  assisted 
him  in  his  work,  and  that  this  circumstance  was  known  to  Walton.  There 
are  fourteen  lines  prefixed  to  the  poem  in  commendation  **  of  his  praise- 
worthy skill  and  work,"  signed  *'Jo.  Daves,"  which  might  have  been  an 
old  or  contracted  way  of  writing  the  name  of  Davors.  The  passage  at 
present  alluded  to  by  Walton  wili  be  found  in  that  division  of  the  poem 
entitled  **  The  Author  of  Angling,  Poetical  Fictions,'*  and  on  p.  13  of  the 
reprint  of  181 1,  beginning  "Then  did  Deucalion  first  the  art  invent." 
The  Stanzas  which  Piscator  quotes  on  p.  70  will  be  found  in  the  division 
called  "  A  Worthy  Answer,"  on  p.  10,  "O  let  me  rather  on  the  pleasant 
brinke,"  etc, ;  and  in  tbis  instance,  as  in  nearly  every  other,  Walton  has 


THE  COMPLETE  ANQLER.  327 

improved  his  author.  The  passage  referred  to  in  Markham  will  be  found 
in  his  "  Pleasures  of  Princes,  or  Good  Men's  Recreations ;  containing  a 
Discourse  of  the  generall  Art  of  Fishing  with  an  Angle  or  otherwise. " 
Lond.  1614,  4to,  Chap.  i.  "Of  Angling  the  vertue,  vse,  and  antiquitie,** 
p.  3.  Sir  John  Hawkins  supposed  that  when  Piscator  is  defining  the  men- 
tal character  of  a  fisherman,  Walton  had  in  his  mind  that  singular  chapter 
in  Markham's  Country  Contentments,  on  the  subject  of  the  "Angler's  Ap- 
parel and  Inward  Qualities  '■  j  but  it  is  more  probable  that  he  alluded  to 
those  stanzas  contained  in  the  third  book  of  The  Secrets  of  Angling, 
which  are  entitled  *'  The  Qualities  of  an  Angler." 

Page  57.     /«  the  Prophet  Amos  mention  is  made  of  fish-hooks. 

Chap.  iv.  2.  Canne,  in  his  marginal  references  to  this  chapter,  refers  to 
Jeremiah  xvi.  16 :  "  Behold  I  will  send  for  many  fishers,  saith  the  Lord, 
and  they  shall  fish  them."  The  passage  of  Job  which  the  text  refers  to 
will  be  found  in  chap.  xli.  i,  2,  and  the  7th  verse  is  also  distantly  allusive 
to  the  formation  of  hooks.  Again,  in  Isaiah  the  word  occurs  in  chap. 
xxxvii.  29.  "I  will  put  my  hook  in  thy  nose.'*  And  also  in  chap.  xix.  8, 
which  Bishop  Lowth  translated 

*•  And  the  fishers  shall  mourn,  and  lament ; 
All  those  that  cast  the  hook  on  the  river, 
And  those  that  spread  nets  on  the  face  of  the  waters  shall  languish." 

Isaiah,  a  New  Translation^  etc.  by  Robert 
Lowth,  D.D.,  Lond.  1795,  8vo,  p.  56. 

The  common  translation  of  King  James  reads,  "all  they  that  cast  angle 
into  the  brooks  shall  lament."  In  Ezekiel  xxix.  4,  hooks  are  mentioned 
in  connection  with  fishing,  as  the  medium  of  catching  the  King  of  Egypt, 
who  is  represented  under  the  figure  of  the  crocodile,  lying  in  the  midst  of 
his  rivers  ;  and  the  word  occurs  again  in  Ezek.  xxxviii.  4.  The  Prophet 
Habakkuk,  in  chap.  i.  14-17,  has  an  inference  to  hooks,  but  the  word  is 
commonly  translated  Angle.     Hawkins. 

Page  57.     In  ancient  times  a  debate  hath  arisen.^  etc. 

This  was  a  favorite  subject  with  the  old  theological  writers  of  Italy ; 
and  the  chief  of  their  arguments,  with  many  references,  are  considered  in 
"A  collection  of  several  Tracts  of  the  Right  Honorable  Edward,  Earl  of 
Clarendon,  Lond.  i']2'j,  fol.  pp.  167-205.  This  tract  was  most  probably 
written  at  Montpellier  in  March,  1670.  Hawkins.  Walton,  however, 
might  probably  allude  to  a  rare  piece  by  Evelyn,  which  he  wrote  in  answer 
to  Sir  George  Mackenzie,  entitled  "Public  Employment,  and  an  Active 
Life  preferred  to  Solitude."     Lond.  1667.  i2mo. 

Page  58.     The  learned  Peter  Du  Moulin. 

This  very  eminent  writer  in  the  Romish  controversy  was  the  eldest  son 


328  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

of  Peter  Du  Moulin,  who  was  also  celebrated  in  the  same  cause.  He  was 
Chaplain  to  King  Charles  IL  of  England,  and  a  Prebendary  of  the  Cathe- 
dral of  Canterbury,  in  which  city  he  died  in  1684,  at  the  age  of  84.  The 
passage  alluded  to  by  Walton  will  be  found  in  No.  30  of  the  preceding 
list,  at  sign,  a  3  in  the  Preface  to  the  Reader. 

Page  59.     And  an  ingenious  Spaniard  says. 

This  passage  is  commonly  supposed  to  allude  to  John  Valdesso,  a  Span- 
ish soldier  in  the  service  of  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  ;  of  whom,  in  his  old 
age,  he  obtained  leave  to  retire,  by  urging  the  aphorism,  **  It  is  fit  that  be- 
tween the  employment  of  life  and  the  day  of  death  some  space  should  inter- 
vene **  :  reflection  on  this  is  thought  to  have  been  the  chief  reason  of  that 
Sovereign's  abdication,  of  which  Walton  gives  a  particular  narrative  in  his 
Life  of  Mr.  George  Herbert.  Valdesso  secluded  himself  in  the  city  of 
Naples,  and  there  wrote,  in  the  Castilian  tongue, "The  Hundred  and  Ten 
Considerations  of  Signor  Valdesso,"  which  were  translated  into  Italian  by 
Caelius  Secundus  Curio,  of  Basil,  and  thence  into  English  by  the  celebrated 
Nicholas  Farrar,  Jun.  of  Little  Gidding,  and  published  in  4to  at  Oxford  in 
1638.  From  this  work  the  passage  in  the  text  is  said  to  have  been  taken, 
but  it  does  not  appear  there.     Hawkins. 

Page  59,      One  of  no  less  credit  than  Aristotle. 

In  the  margin  of  the  First  Edition  of  Walton  is  inserted  at  this  place, 
*•  In  his  Wonders  of  Nature.  This  is  confirmed  by  Ennius,  and  Solon  in 
His  Holy  History."  The  circumstances  mentioned  by  Camden  will  be 
found  in  his  Britannia,  see  No.  8  in  the  preceding  list,  at  pages  558  and  762. 
The  Sabbatical  River  of  Josephus  is  described  in  the  Seventh  Book  and 
5th  Chapter  of  his  History,  No.  24  in  the  list ;  and  in  the  fifth  volume  of 
Purchas,  his  Pilgrims  and  Pilgrimage,  p.  581,  will  be  found  some  additional 
particulars  and  references  concerning  it. 

Page  60.     Learned  Dr.  Casaubon's  discourse. 

Meric,  son  of  Isaac  Casaubon,  a  man  of  very  great  learning,  was  born 
at  Geneva  in  1599,  and  was  educated  at  Oxford  ;  he  was  afterwards  made 
a  Prebendary  of  Canterbury,  in  addition  to  which  Oliver  Cromwell  vainly 
endeavored  to  engage  him  by  a  pension  of  ;i^30O  to  write  the  history  of  his 
time.  He  died  in  167 1,  bearing  an  amiable  character  for  loyalty,  religion, 
and  charity :  he  wrote  many  volumes,  but  the  singular  work  mentioned  in 
the  text  will  be  found  at  No.  10  of  the  preceding  list,  and  the  passage 
alluded  to  commences  at  page  243  of  tha«.  edition. 

Page  60.      Collected  by  John  Tradescant. 

Of  these  names  there  were  three  p-rsons,  grandfather,  father,  and  son  } 
of  whom  the  son  is  the  one  alluded  ,  i  the  text.  They  were  all  eminent 
botanists,  and  collectors  of  natura'  t  j  osities  ;  the  two  former  were  gar- 
deners to  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  (L(  '   ^ter  held  the  same  situation  imder 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  32(> 

Charles  L  They  resided  at  South  Lambeth  in  Surrey,  at  a  building  now 
known  by  the  name  of  Turret-House  ;  and,  dying  there,  were  buried  in 
an  altar-tomb,  singularly  ornamented,  in  Lambeth  churchyard.  "With  the 
youngest  of  the  family  Mr.  Ashmole  contracted  an  intimacy,  and,  together 
with  his  wife,  boarded  at  his  house  for  a  summer  j  during  which  time  he 
agreed  with  him  for  the  purchase  of  his  whole  collection  of  rarities,  and  it 
was  accordingly  conveyed  to  him  by  a  deed  of  gift  from  Tradescant  and 
his  wife.  On  his  death,  Ashmole  was  obliged  to  file  a  bill  in  Chancery  for 
the  delivery  of  his  property  j  but  soon  after  a  decree  had  been  pronounced 
in  his  favor  Mrs.  Tradescant  was  discovered  drowned,  in  her  own  pond. 
This  collection  of  natural  curiosities,  which  was  the  first  made  in  England, 
Ashmole  bequeathed  with  all  its  additions  to  the  University  of  Oxford, 
and  thus  founded  the  Ashmolean  Museum.  Hawkins.  The  list  of 
strange  Fishes,  etc.,  mentioned  by  Walton,  will  be  found  at  page  8  of  a 
Catalogue  of  the  Collection,  entitled  "  Museum  Tradescantium,  or  a  Col- 
lection of  Rarities  preserved  at  South  Lambeth,  near  London,  by  John 
Tradescant."  Lond.  1656,  8vo.  The  passage  from  the  words,  "But  I 
will  lay  aside,"  p.  60,  down  to  "she  locks  up  her  wonders,"  p.  61,  was 
not  inserted  till  Walton's  Fifth  Edition.  Elias  Ashmole^  who  is  men- 
tioned in  the  same  sentence  with  Tradescant,  was  born  May  16,  1617,  ^"^ 
was  a  Chorister  in  Lichfield  Cathedral.  In  1638  he  became  a  Solicitor  in 
Chancery  ;  but  in  1649  he  married  his  second  wife,  the  lady  Mary  Main- 
waring,  who  was  possessed  of  a  large  fortune,  and  he  resigned  himself  to 
alchemical  study  in  concert  with  William  Lilly  and  John  Aubrey,  Esq.,  of 
Surrey.  In  1660  Charles  IL  gave  him  the  office  of  Windsor  Herald  ;  and 
ten  years  after  he  produced  his  excellent  History  of  the  Order  of  the  Gar- 
ter. Ashmole  married  a  third  time  in  1668,  Elizabeth  Dugdale,  daughter 
of  Sir  William  Dugdale,  and  he  died  on  May  18,  1 692,  celebrated  for  his 
knowledge  of  many  and  various  Arts  and  Sciences. 

Page  61.     Mr.  George  Herbert. 

This  pious,  learned,  and  eminent  person  was  of  the  noble  family  of  Her- 
bert, and  a  younger  brother  of  the  deistical  Edward  Lord  Herbert  of 
Cherbury.  He  was  a  King's-Scholar  at  Westminster,  and  subsequently  a 
Fellow  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge  ;  where,  in  1 619,  he  was  chosen 
University  Orator.  In  that  station  he  studied  the  modern  languages  with 
a  view  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  ;  but  being  of  a  consumptive  habit, 
and  a  retired  turn  of  mind,  he  entered  into  holy  orders,  and  was  preferred 
to  a  Prebend  in  the  Cathedral  of  Lincoln.  He  married  about  1630  a  near 
relation  of  the  Earl  of  Danby,  and  died  without  issue  in  1635,  ^'^  ^^  ^8^ 
of  forty-two.  The  printed  works  of  Herbert  are,  a  collection  of  Religious 
Poems  called  the  Temple,  his  Remains,  and  a  Translation  of  Luigi  Cor- 
naro's   Work  on  Temperance  and  Long  Life.      Walton,      The  passage 


336         tHE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

quoted  in  the  text  is  in  tlie  first  of  these,  No.  22  of  the  foregoing  list,  pp. 
no,  113  of  that  volume,  Stanzas  7,  8,  36.  The  word  Owes  in  Herbert's 
verses  is  the  older  form  of  Owns. 

Page  62.      Gesner,  Rondeletius,  Pliny,  Atisonius^  Aristotle. 

Cotirad  Gesner^  an  eminent  scholar,  philosopher,  physician,  and  natur- 
alist, was  the  son  of  Vasa  Gesner  and  Barbara  Friccius,  and  was  born  at 
'  Zurich  in  Switzerland  in  15 16,  and  there  received  his  initiation  into  the 
jGreek  and  Latin  languages.  His  poverty  obliged  him  to  travel,  and  at 
length  to  study  physic  at  Basle,  where  he  took  his  Doctor's  degree,  and 
then  returned  to  Zurich.  His  works  are  very  numerous,  and  were,  many 
of  them,  evidently  written  in  haste  to  procure  him  a  subsistence  :  of  these, 
the  principal  is  the  *'  Historise  Animalium,"  for  which  he  was  surnamed 
the  Pliny  of  Germany.  For  twenty-four  years  Gesner  was  Professor  of 
Philosophy  at  Zurich,  and  he  died  of  the  plague  on  December  13,  1565. 
Gulielmus  Rondeletius,  or  Guillaume  Rondelet,  was  a  celebrated  physi- 
cian, who  was  born  at  Montpellier,  in  Languedoc,  in  1507.  He  wrote 
several  medical  books,  but  his  best  production  is  his  Treatise  '*  De  Pisci- 
bus  Marinis,"  of  which  there  is  also  a  French  translation.  He  died,  in 
great  poverty,  at  Realmont  in  Albigeois,  on  July  18,  1566,  of  a  surfeit,  in- 
duced by  eating  figs  to  excess.  Caius  Plinius  Secundtis,  surnamed  the 
Elder,  was  born  at  Verona,  and  was  celebrat  d  as  a  soldier,  a  statesman, 
and  a  scholar.  He  wrote  one  hundred  and  sixty  volumes  of  remarks  on 
the  authors  which  he  had  read  ;  but  his  Natural  History,  in  thirty-seven 
books,  is  the  only  one  of  his  works  now  extant.  He  perished  in  that 
eruption  of  Mount  Vesuvius  which  overthrew  Herculaneum,  a.d.  79,  in 
his  fifty-sixth  year.  Decimus  Magnus  Ausonius  was  a  Latin  poet  born  at 
Bordeaux  in  Gaul ;  and  preceptor  of  Gratian,  the  son  of  the  Emperor 
Valentinian,  which  occasioned  him  to  be  made  Consul.  His  compositions 
are  chiefly  Epigrams  from  the  Greek,  Epitaphs,  and  poetical  Epistles. 
He  died  about  a.d.  390.  Aristoteles^  the  celebrated  philosopher,  was  born 
at  Stagira,  and  studied  at  Athens  under  Plato.  He  wrote  above  four  hun- 
dred literary  and  scientific  volumes,  and  Alexander  the  Great  magnificently 
patronized  his  Natural  History  of  Animals.  He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
three,  B.C.  322. 

Page  62.     Divine  Du  Bartas, 

Guillaume  de  Salluste,  Sieur  Du  Bartas,  was  the  son  of  a  Treasurer  of 
France,  and  was  born  in  1544,  at  Montfort  in  Armagnac.  He  served  in 
the  army  of  Henry  IV. ,  as  the  commander  of  a  company  of  cavalry,  in 
Gascony,  under  Marechal  de  Matignon  ;  and  the  King  also  employed  him 
in  various  commissions  to  England,  Denmark,  and  Scotland.  His  works 
are  numerous,  and  written  both  in  French  and  Latin  verse  ;  but  his  prin- 
cipal production  is  entitled  *'  A  Commentary  of  the  Week  of  the  Creation 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  331 

of  the  World,"  in  seven  books.  In  six  years,  it  passed  through  upwards 
of  thirty  editions  ;  and  an  English  translation  of  it  in  verse,  by  Joshua 
Sylvester,  merchant-adventurer  of  London,  was  published  in  1605.  Du 
Bartas  held  the  doctrines  of  Calvinism ;  he  was  a  modest  and  reserved 
man,  a  brave  soldier,  and  he  died  in  1590,  at  the  age  of  forty-six.  The 
passage  quoted  in  the  text  will  be  found  in  the  Fifth  Day  of  the  First 
Week,  line  33,  but  it  is  considerably  varied  from  the  original :  see  No.  7 
in  the  list  of  Authorities,  and  p.  39,  col.  2,  of  that  volume.  In  the  quota- 
tion from  Du  Bartas  in  the  text,  the  word  Stares  is  put  for  Starlings  :  it  is 
derived  from  the  Saxom  Staer  or  the  Teutonic  Sterre,  ultimately  from 
the  Latin  Sturnus.  The  Two  Ecclesiastical  Fishes  mentioned  by  Du 
Bartas  are  described  by  Rondeletius,  and  delineated  in  the  Posthu- 
mous Works  of  Mr.  John  Gregory,  Lond.  1683,  4to,  pages  121,  122. 
Hawkins. 

Page  62.     The  Cuttk-ph^  etc. 

The  margin  in  all  the  editions  refers  to  Montaigne's  Essays,  see  No.  29 
of  the  preceding  list ;  and  in  the  Apology  for  Raymond  de  Sebonde,  book 
ii.  chap,  xii.  p.  256,  is  the  passage  alluded  to. 

Page  63.     ^lian. 

Claudius  ^Elianus  was  a  Roman  sophist  of  Praeneste  in  Italy,  in  the  reign 
of  Adrian,  who  originally  taught  Rhetoric  at  Rome  ;  bue  taking  a  dislike 
to  his  profession,  he  became  an  author,  and  wrote  seventeen  books  De 
Animalium  Natura,  and  fourteen  of  various  History,  etc.,  in  Greek.  He 
died  in  his  sixtieth  year,  A.D.  140.  The  passage  from  the  words  *'  And 
there  is  a  fish,"  down  to  "  most  of  mankind,"  was  not  inserted  till  the  Third 
Edition  of  The  Complete  Angler,  1664. 

Page  63.     And  first  what  Du  Bartas  says. 

See  No.  7  in  the  preceding  list,  and  the  Fifth  Day  of  the  First  Week, 
line  195,  p.  41,  col.  i,  of  that  volume  :  the  verses  on  the  Cantharus  and 
the  Mullet  mentioned  on  pages  63  and  64,  immediately  follow  the  above 
at  lines  201  and  205  ;  and  Walton's  reference  to  the  custom  of  the  Thra- 
cian  women  also  came  from  Du  Bartas,  beginning  at  line  209.  The 
account  of  the  Sargus  was  taken  by  Du  Bartas  from  Oppian's  Halieutics, 
lib.  iv. 

Page  64.     Pheer—prest. 

Pheer,  or  Fere,  Saxon,  Fera^  Gefera,  is  a  Mate,  an  Equal ;  and  an- 
ciently, as  in  the  present  instance,  a  Husband  or  Wife.  Prest  is  the  old 
orthography  of  the  French  Pret,  Ready.     Hawkins. 

Page  67.     The  Voyages  of  Ferdinand  Mendez  Pinto. 

A  native  of  Monte  Mor  Ouelho  in  Portugal,  born  about  1510,  and 
whose  Travels,  written  by  himself,  have  been  very  much  questioned  as  to 
their  truth.     For  twenty-one  years  of  his  life  he  was  iourneying  chiefly  in 


332  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER, 

the  Ea5t ;  and  during  tliat  time  lie  was  five  times  shipwrecked,  sevente«« 
times  sold,  and  thirteen  limes  made  a  slave  :  he  returned  to  Lisbon,  Sep- 
tember 22,  1558.  A  translation  of  his  Voyages  will  be  found  in  the  list  of 
Authorities,  No.  33  ;  and  the  passage  alluded  to  by  Walton  is  in  chap.  79, 
p.  319.  The  paragraph  in  which  this  traveller  is  mentioned  did  not  ap» 
pear  until  Walton's  Second  Edition. 

Page  67.     He  t}iat  reads  Fltitarch. 

See  No.  35  in  the  foregoing  list,  p.  983,  marginal  letter  D,  in  that 
volume.  Those  passages  from  the  words,  "And  for  the  lawfulness," 
down  to  "great  learning  have  been,"  did  not  appear  until  Walton's 
Second  Edition. 

Page  67.     Angling  is  always  taken  in  the  best  sense. 

See  Cniden's  Concordance,  under  the  titles  Fishing  and  Hunting. 

Page  67.  Our  learned  Perkins  ,  ,  .  Doctor  Whitaker  ,  ,  , 
Doctor  NoweL 

William  Perkins  was  a  learned  divine,  and  a  pious  and  laborious 
preacher ;  and  Dr.  William  Whitaker  was  an  eminent  writer  in  the  Rom- 
ish controversy,  and  Regius  Professor  of  Divinity  in  the  University  of 
Cambridge.  They  both  flourished  at  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century  ; 
and  the  love  of  the  latter  for  Angling  is  mentioned  in  Fuller's  Holy  State, 
book  iii,  chap.  13.  Dr.  Alexander  Nowel  was  a  learned  divine,  and  a 
famous  preacher  in  the  reign  of  King  Edward  VL  ;  upon  whose  death  he, 
with  many  other  Protestants,  fled  to  Germany,  where  he  lived  several 
years.  In  1561  he  was  made  Dean  of  St.  Paul's  ;  and  died  in  1601.  His 
monument  was  consumed  in  1666  ;  but  the  inscription  and  an  engraving 
of  the  tomb  will  be  found  in  Dugdale's  History  of  St.  Paul's.  There  has 
been  considerable  dispute  as  to  the  Catechism  alluded  to  by  Walton  :  and 
it  seems  almost  certain  that  it  is  not  the  one  printed  in  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer.  See  Fuller's  Worthies,  Lane.  115,  Athen.  Oxon.  113,  and 
Churton's  Life  of  Nowel,  p.  366.  Hawkins.  See  also  Herbert's  Typo- 
graphical Antiquities,  Edit,  by  the  Rev.  T.  F.  Dibdin,  vol.  iv.  p.  13,  and 
the  Rev.  E.  Cardwell's  Documentary  Annals  of  the  Reformed  Church  of 
England,  vol.  L  page  266,  note. 

Page  69.     Sir  Henry  Wotton, 

An  eminent  scholar  and  statesman,  born  at  Bocton  Hall  in  Kent,  in 
1568,  and  educated  at  Winchester  School  and  New  College,  Oxford. 
Having  travelled  about  nine  years,  he  became  Secretary  to  Robert  Dev- 
ereux,  Earl  of  Essex  ;  but  upon  his  attainder  he  again  went  to  the  Conti- 
nent, and  attached  himself  to  the  Duke  of  Florence,  who  sent  him  as  Am- 
bassador to  James  VL  of  Scotland.  When  that  Monarch  came  to  be 
King  of  England,  he  received  Wotton  into  his  service,  knighted  him,  and 
tmployed  him  as  his  principal  Ambassador.     About  1624  he  took  Dea- 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  333 

con's  Orders,  and  was  made  Provost  of  Eton  College,  where  he  died  in 
December  1639.  IValton.  The  passage  quoted  in  the  text  is  in  his  Re- 
mains ;  see  the  foregoing  list,  No.  43,  and  the  recto  of  sign,  c  6  in  that 
volume.  The  poem  printed  on  page  70  is  in  the  same  book  at  p.  524  ; 
and  in  these  verses  the  word  Pilgrim  is  put  for  the  Swallow,  because  of 
its  migrations. 

Page  73.     The  gloves  of  an  Otter ^  etc. 

All  the  particulars  related  of  the  Otter  were  derived  from  the  Rev. 
Edward  Topsail's  Natural  History ;  see  No.  41  in  the  list  of  Authorities, 
and  pp.  572-575  of  that  volume.  The  work  is,  in  effect,  a  translation  of 
the  Historiae  Animalium  of  Gesner,  and  contains  numerous  references  to 
many  learned  authorities.  The  Rev.  Edward  Topsell,  by  whom  it  was 
executed,  was  Chaplain  to  Dr.  Neile,  Dean  of  Westminster,  in  the  Church 
of  St.  Botolph,  Aldersgate.  The  Second  Chapter  in  the  First  Edition  of 
Walton  contains  a  great  part  of  the  matter  of  the  present  Chapters  IL, 
IIL,  IV.  ;  since  it  ends  with  the  Hostess  calling  Viator  and  Piscator  to 
supper.  The  title  of  it,  in  the  table  already  mentioned,  is  "In  the 
Second  are  some  observations  of  the  nature  of  the  Otter,  and  also  some 
observations  of  the  Chub  or  Cheven,  with  directions  how  and  with  what 
baits  to  fish  for  him. " 

Page  76.     Make  conscience  of  the  Laws  of  the  Nation. 

This  passage — which  from  "Is  not  mine  Host  a  witty  man  ?  "  p.  76, 
down  to  "To  speak  truly,'*  p.  77,  is  wanting  in  the  First  Edition — alludes 
to  a  statute  made  in  the  5th  of  Eliz.,  which  enacts  that  any  person  eating 
flesh  upon  the  usual  Fish-days  shall  forfeit  f^-^  for  every  offence,  or  under- 
go three  months'  imprisonment  without  bail.  This  Act,  in  all  its  branches, 
views,  and  amendments,  is  fully  considered  in  a  Tract  published  by  John 
Erswicke,  Gent.,  in  1642,  4to,  entitled  "A  briefe  note  of  the  benefits  that 
grow  to  this  Realme  by  the  obseruation  of  Fish-daies  with  a  reason  and 
cause  wherefore  the  Law  in  that  behalfe  made  is  ordained."  The  statutes 
mentioned  on  p.  76,  with  many  amendments,  may  be  seen  in  "  The  Sec- 
ond Part  of  the  Institutes  of  the  Lawes  of  England,"  by  Sir  Edw.  Coke, 
Lond.  1642,  fol.  p.  477.  In  most  of  the  former  editions  of  The  Com- 
plete Angler  there  is  a  misprint  of  Richard  IIL  for  Richard  IL 

P^ge  85.      You  shall  read  in  Seneca. 

These  particulars  were  taken  from  Dr.  Hakewill's  Apology,  No.  21  in 
the  preceding  list,  and  book  iv.  sect.  6,  p.  433  of  that  volume.  The 
translation  of  Seneca  by  Dr.  Thomas  Lodge,  printed  in  1620,  fol.,  was 
however  most  probably  known  to  Walton. 

Page  87.     His  natne  is  of  a  German  offspring. 

Minsheu  shows  it  to  be  rather  from  the  Low-Dutch  Trort^  derived 
probably  of  the  corrupt  Latin  TrtUcu 


334  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

Page  87.     Mercator  says,  etc. 

Gerard  Mercator  was  born  in  15 12,  at  Ruremonde  in  Flanders,  and  was 
a  man  of  such  intense  application  to  mathematical  studies,  that  he  neg- 
lected the  refreshments  of  nature.  He  engraved  and  colored  with  his 
own  hand  the  maps  to  his  geographical  writings.  He  wrote  several  books 
of  Theology  ;  and  died  at  Duisburg  in  1 594.     Hawkins. 

Page  88.     Sir  George  Hastings. 

The  party  referred  to  by  Walton  has  been  usually  supposed  to  be  the 
Hon.  Henry  Hastings  of  Woodlands,  near  Cranborne  in  Dorsetshire,  who 
died  October  5,  1650,  at  the  age  of  ninety-nine.  His  character  was 
written  with  great  humor  and  ability  by  Lord  Shaftesbury,  and  was  in- 
scribed under  his  portrait  at  Winbourne  St.  Giles ;  it  may  be  also  found 
printed  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  vol.  xxiv.  p.  160,  and  in  Hutchins's 
History  of  Dorset,  Edit.  1803,  vol.  ii.  p.  510,  with  other  particulars.  It 
is,  however,  more  probable  that  the  person  to  whom  Walton  alludes  was 
either  Sir  George  Hastings,  the  son  of  Henry,  who  died  October  25, 
165 1  ;  or  Sir  George,  the  nephew  of  Henry,  the  brother  of  Henry,  Fifth 
Earl  of  Huntingdon,  who  is  recorded  in  Richard  Smith's  Obituary  to  have 
died  of  the  plague  on  June  4,  1641.  See  Peck's  *'  Desiderata  Curiosa," 
vol.  ii.  lib.  xiv.  p.  19.     Collins's  Peerage,  Edit.  1779,  vol.  iii.  p.  97. 

Page.  89.     Alberttts  observes,  etc. 

Albertus  Magnus,  a  German  Dominican,  and  a  very  learned  man. 
Urban  IV,  compelled  him  to  accept  of  the  Bishopric  of  Ratisbon.  He 
wrote  a  treatise  on  the  Secrets  of  Nature,  and  twenty  other  volumes  in 
folio  ;  and  died  at  Cologne  in  1280.  Hawkins.  The  passage  in  the  text 
is  from  Topsell's  History  of  Serpents,  No.  42  in  the  preceding  list,  p.  i8q 
of  that  volume.  The  quotation  from  Bacon  will  be  found  at  p.  194, 
Century  ix.  of  No.  3.  See  also  Dr.  Franklin's  letter  to  M.  Dubourg, 
**On  the  prevailing  Doctrines  of  Life  and  Death." 

Page  92.      The  Royal  Society,  etc. 

See  No.  37  in  the  foregoing  list,  pp.  2170-2175  ;  the  list  alluded  to  i« 
on  the  last  page.  This  passage  did  not  appear  until  Walton's  last  edition. 
The  word  sleight  on  the  same  page  is  from  the  Icelandic  Slaegd  or  th« 
Anglo-Saxon  Slyth,  Deceit,  or  Deceitful.  . 

Page  94.      That  smooth  song  which  was  made  by  Kit  Marlowe. 

Christopher  Marlowe,  or  Marloe,  was  a  poet  of  considerable  eminence, 
and  is  called  by  Phillips  "a  kind  of  second  Shakespeare."  He  is  suj)- 
posed  to  have  been  born  about  1562,  and  in  1587  he  became  M.  A.  at 
Bene't  College,  Cambridge  ;  after  which  he  commenced  actor  and  drama- 
tic writer.  There  are  extant  five  Tragedies  of  his  writing,  and  a  Poem  en- 
titled Hero  and  Leander,  which  was  finished  by  George  Chapman.  The 
song  attributed  to  Marlowe  in  the  text  is  printed  with  his  name  in  Eng* 


THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  335 

land's  Helicon,  1600,  4to  ;  as  is  also  the  Answer,  there  signed  Ignoto, 
but  ascribed  by  Walton  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  Marlowe  is  said  towards 
the  end  of  his  life  to  have  become  a  professed  atheist  :  he  died  before 
1593,  of  a  wound  given  him  by  a  serving-man,  who  was  his  rival.  Haw- 
kins. 

Page  95.      What  song  was  it^  I  pray? 

See  the  songs  As  at  Noon,  Chevy  Chace,  Johnny  Armstrong,  and  Troy 
Town,  printed  after  the  most  authentic  copies  in  Percy's  Reliques  of  Eng- 
lish Poetry.  Hawkins,  Phillida  flouts  me  was  printed  in  the  Theatre  of 
Compliments.  Lond.  1689,  i2mo  ;  but  it  is  also  to  be  found  in  a  volume 
collected  by  J.  Ritson,  entitled  Ancient  Songs  from  the  Time  of  King 
Henry  the  Third  to  the  Revolution.  Lond.  1792,  i2mo,  Art.  xi.  p.  235, 
The  Editor  of  that  collection  states,  in  the  notice  preceding  the  verses, 
that  there  is  a  modern  Answer  by  A.  Bradley,  and  that  the  song  of  Come, 
Shepherds^  is  not  known  ;  the  last,  however,  was  discovered  in  a  manu- 
script belonging  to  the  late  Richard  Heber,  Esq.,  and  was  printed  in  Mr. 
Pickering's  edition  of  the  Complete  Angler,  from  the  communication  of 
Mr.  T.  Rodd. 

Page  95.      Come.,  live  with  me,  and  be  my  love. 

The  notes  of  various  Shakespearian  commentators  on  the  Comedy  of 
The  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor  contain  the  principal  information  now  ex- 
tant concerning  this  song  ;  but  the  propriety  of  ascribing  it  to  Shakespeare 
is  also  considered  in  Dr.  Percy's  Reliques  of  Ancient  English  Poetry,  vol. 
i.  p.  322,  where  it  is  printed  under  the  title  of  The  Passionate  Shepherd 
to  his  Love.  Dr.  Warburton  assigns  it  to  Shakespeare,  perhaps  because 
Sir  Hugh  Evans,  in  Act  iii.  Sc.  i,  of  the  above  play,  sings  four  lines  of  it ; 
and  it  was  printed,  with  some  variations,  in  a  collection  of  Poems  said  to 
be  Shakespeare's,  printed  by  Thomas  Cotes  for  John  Benson,  1640,  i2mo. 

Page  96.     Sir  Thomas  Overbtiry* s  Milkmaid'' s  wish. 

See  the  preceding  list.  No.  32,  in  which  the  following  exquisite  character 
is  delineated  with  a  simple  beauty  of  language  that  is  the  very  counterpart 
of  Walton's  own. 

"  A  faire  and  happy  Milk- Maid 

Is  a  Countrey  Wench,  that  is  so  farre  from  making  her  selfe  beautifull  by 
Art,  that  one  looke  of  hers  is  able  to  put  all  face-Physicke  out  of  counte- 
nance. She  knowes  a  faire  looke  is  but  a  Dumbe  Orator  to  commend 
vertue,  therefore  minds  it  not.  All  her  excellencies  stand  in  her  so 
silently,  as  if  they  had  stolne  upon  her  without  her  knowledge.  The  lin- 
ing of  her  apparell  (which  is  her  selfe)  is  farre  better  than  outsides  of  Tis- 
sew  :  for  though  she  be  not  arrayed  in  the  spoile  of  the  Silke-worme,  shee 

is  devkt  in  inn^c^ncy,  a  far  better  wearing.    She  doth  not,  with  lying  long 


33^  THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

abed,  spoile  both  her  complexion  and  conditions  ;  Nature  bath  taught  heii 
too  immoderate  sleepe  is  rust  to  the  Soule  :  she  rises  therefore  with  Chaun' 
ticUare  her  dame's  cock,  and  at  night  makes  the  Lamb  her  Curfew.  In 
milking  a  Cow,  a-straining  the  Teats  through  her  fingers,  it  seems  that  sa 
sweet  a  Milk-presse  makes  the  Milk  the  whiter  or  sweeter  ;  for  never  came 
Almond  Glove  or  Aromatique  oyntment  on  her  palme  to  taint  it.  The 
golden  eares  of  come  fall  and  kisse  her  feet  when  shee  reapes  them,  as  if 
they  wisht  to  be  bound  and  le'^  prisf  '  pvs  by  the  same  hand  that  fell'd 
them.  Her  breath  is  her  own,  which  sei..  ill  the  yeare  long  of  Jtine, 
like  a  new-made  Haycock,  ftbe  nakes  her  hand  hard  with  labor,  and 
her  heart  soft  with  pitty ;  and  V'h«n  winter  ev..'nings  fall  early  (sitting  ai: 
her  mery  wheele)  she  sings  <-  lefiance  to  the  giddy  wheele  of  Fortune, 
She  doth  all  things  with  so  s\^'eet  a  grace,  it  seems  ignorance  will  not 
sufifer  her  to  doe  ill,  being  her  mind  is  to  doe  well.  Shee  bestowes  her 
yeare's  wages  at  next  faire  ;  and  in  chusing  her  garments,  counts  no  brav- 
ery  i'  th'  world  like  decency.  The  Garden  and  Bee-hive  are  all  her  Phy- 
sick  and  Chyrurgery,  and  she  ives  the  longer  for  't.  She  dares  goe 
alone,  and  unfolds  sheepe  i'  th'  light,  and  feares  no  manner  of  ill,  be- 
cause she  meanes  none:  yet  Co  ay  tiuth,  she  is  never  alone,  for  she  is 
still  accompanied  with  old  son^s  honest  thoughts,  and  prayers,  but  short 
ones,  yet  they  have  their  efficacy  in  that  they  are  not  pauled  with  insuing, 
idle  cogitations.  Lastly,  her  Itriames  are  so  chaste,  that  shee  dare  tell 
them  :  only  a  Fridaie's  dreame  is  all  her  ^upet  -^tition  :  that  shee  conceales 
for  feare  of  anger.  Thus  lives  sne,  and  all  hei  care  is  that  she  may  die  in 
the  Springtime,  to  have  store  of  flowers  stucke  upon  her  winding-sheet." 
Character  51,  sign.  L.  7.  FronC  tht  copy  in  the  Library  of  Sion  College, 
I^ondon, 

Page  10 1.      The  choice  songs,  etc. 

The  Song  of  Old  Tom  of  Bedlam  will  be  found  in  Percy's  Reliques  of 
Ancient  English  Poetry,  vol.  ii.  p.  356.  It  is  also  printed  in  Playford's 
*•  Antidote  against  Melancholy,"  1669,  8vo  ;  "and  with  the  Music,  com- 
posed by  H.  Lawes,  in  a  work  entitled  Choice  Ayres,  Songs,  and  Dia- 
logues, to  the  Theorbo-Lute  and  Base- Viol."  Fol.  1675.  Ha7vkins.  In 
the  volume  of  Ancient  Songs  already  cited,  pp.  261,  265,  there  are  two 
different  songs,  both  called  Tom  of  Bedlam,  which  are  stated  to  have  been 
taken  out  of  an  old  Miscellany,  entitled  "  Le  Prince  d' Amour,  or  the 
Prince  of  Love,  with  a  Collection  of  Songs,  by  the  Wits  of  the  Age." 
Lond.  1660,  8vo.  The  Editor  adds,  however,  that  the  above  were  in- 
serted in  the  collection  in  burlesque,  on  the  love  of  the  English  for  ballads 
on  the  subject  of  madness.  See  Percy's  Reliques,  vol.  ii.  p.  350.  The 
song  of  *'The  Hunter  in  his  Career,"  also  mentioned  in  the  text,  is  re- 
printed for  the  first   time  in  Mr.   Pickering's  edition   of  the  Complete 


THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  33f 

Angler,  from  a  collection  of  old  ballads  published  in  1725.  In  Walton's 
First  Edition,  this  passage  is  contained  in  the  Third  Chapter  ;  which  is 
entitled  "  In  Chapter  3  are  some  observations  of  Trouts,  both  of  their  nat- 
ure, their  kinds,  and  their  breeding." 

Page  III.     Aldrovandus. 

Ulysses  Aldrovandus,  a  great  physician  and  naturalist,  born  at  Bologna 
in  1527  ;  he  wrote  120  books  on  several  subjects,  and  a  Treatise  "  De 
Piscibus,"  published  last  at  Francfort,  164a  He  died  blind  in  an  hospi- 
tal at  Bologna,  in  great  poverty.  May  4,  1605.  The  passage  alluded  to  in 
the  text  is  in  his  "  Serpentum  et  Draconum  Historiae,"  1640,  foL  Haw- 
kins. 

Page  112.      The  observation  of  Du  Bartas. 

See  No.  7  in  the  foregoing  list,  p.  58,  col.  2,  the  last  20  lines. 

Page  115.     Devout  Lessius. 

Leonard  Lessius,  Professor  of  Divinity  in  the  College  of  Jesuits  at  Lou- 
vain  ;  he  was  born  at  Antwerp  in  1554  ;  and  became  very  famous  for  his 
skill  in  divinity,  civil-law,  mathematics,  physic,  and  history.  He  wrote 
several  theological  tracts,  and  a  treatise  entitled  Hygiasticon  ;  see  N.  26 
in  the  preceding  list,  from  the  third  chapter  of  which  the  sentiments  in  the 
text  were  extracted.      He  died  in  1623.     Hawkins. 

Page  117.     Mr.  Thomas  Barker. 

This  person,  an  account  of  whom  is  to  be  derived  only  from  his  writings, 
appears  to  have  been  an  Angler  by  profession,  and  an  experienced  cook 
of  fish  ;  since  he  says  he  "  had  been  admitted  into  the  most  Ambassadors' 
kitchens  that  had  come  to  England  for  forty  years,  and  drest  fish  for 
them  ;  for  which,  he  adds,  he  was  duly  paid  by  the  Lord  Protector."  He 
spent  a  considerable  portion  of  his  time,  and,  it  seems,  of  his  property 
also,  in  fishing  ;  and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  resided  in  Henry  the 
Seventh's  Gifts,  some  almshouses  which  stood  near  the  Gatehouse  at 
Westminster.  Hawkins.  His  work  on  Angling  will  be  found  at  No.  6 
of  the  preceding  list,  and  the  information  contained  in  the  text  is  at  pp. 
2  and  15  of  the  very  neat  reprint  of  that  tract,  published  in  1821. 

Page  121.      Holy  Mr.  Herbert. 

See  No,  22  of  the  foregoing  list,  p.  80  of  that  volume. 

Page  123.      Ch.  Harvie.  "  t 

The  verses  with  this  signature  do  not  appear  until  the  Second  Edition  ; 
for  the  dialogue  in  the  First  passes  immediately  from  Herbert's  verses  to 
the  Beggars'  Song,  which  is  there  sung  by  Viator,  without  the  introductory 
story.  It  is  most  probable  that  the  person  mentioned  above  was  a  Chris- 
topher Harvey,  M.  A.,  Vicar  of  Clifton  in  Warwickshire  ;  born  in  1597, 
and  who  lived  until  about  1663.  The  same  signature  also  appears  to  a  copy 
pf  verses  addressed  to  W?^ltoR  on  his  Angler  ;  and  that  collection  of  poems 


338  THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER. 

entitled  the  Synagogue  is  supposed  to  have  been  produced  by  the  samt 
person.     Hawkins. 

Page  123.     Dr.  Boteler. 

Dr.  William  Butler,  a  celebrated  but  eccentric  physician,  who  was  born 
at  Ipswich  about  1535,  and  educated  at  Clare-Hall,  Cambridge,  of  whicti 
he  became  Fellow.  He  died  January  29,  161 8,  and  was  buried  at  St. 
Mary's  Church,  Cambridge. 

Page  124.     Hear  my  Kenna  sing  a  song. 

The  reference  to  the  margin  indicates  that  Walton  wishes  to  hear  Ken- 
na, his  mistress,  sing  the  song.  Like  Hermit  Poor.  This  song  was  set  to 
music  by  Nicholas  Laneare,  an  eminent  master  of  Walton's  time, — who, 
it  is  said  by  Wood,  was  also  an  excellent  painter,  and  whose  portrait  is  to 
be  seen  in  the  Music-school  at  Oxford, — and  is  printed  with  the  notes  in  a 
collection  entitled  Select  Afusical  Ayres  and  Dialogues^  fol.  1659,  page  i. 
The  verses  which  introduce  this  song  were  in  all  probability  the  production 
of  Walton,  for  it  may  be  observed  that  Kenna  is  evidently  a  feminine  for- 
mation of  Ken,  the  maiden  name  of  his  second  wife.  The  first  three 
words  of  the  song  of  "Like  Hermit  Poor"  were  used  as  a  proverb  or 
phrase,  about  and  after  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  Haw- 
kins. 

Page  126.     Our  late  English   G  us  man. 

The  very  curious  volume  to  which  this  passage  alludes  is  entitled  **  The 
English  Guzman  ;  or  the  History  of  that  unparalleled  Thief  James  Hind, 
written  by  G(eorge)  r(idge)."  Lond.  1652,  4to.  In  the  King's  Tracts  in 
the  British  Museum. 

Page  129,      Caspar  Peucerus. 

An  eminent  physician  and  mathematician,  born  at  Lusatia,  in  1525  :  he 
married  the  daughter  of  Melancthon,  wrote  many  books  on  various  sub- 
jects, and  died  in  1602,  aged  seventy-eight,  Hawkins.  Casaubon  quotes 
him  at  p.  252  of  his  book,  No.  10  of  the  foregoing  list.  The  paragraph 
from  which  the  above  line  is  quoted  did  not  appear  as  it  now  stands  until 
the  Fifth  Edition  of  Walton.  The  Hares  changing  sexes  is  mentioned  by 
Topsell,  see  No.  41,  p.  266. 

Page  131.     Learned  Doctor  Hakewill. 

Dr.  George  Hakewill  was  born- at  Exeter  in  1579,  and  was  Rector  of 
Exeter  College,  Oxford  ;  he  died  at  his  living  of  Heanton  in  Devonshire, 
in  April,  1649  His  book  will  be  found  at  No.  21  of  the  list,  and  the  con- 
tents of  the  paragraph  in  the  text,  which  did  not  appear  until  the  Second 
Edition  of  Walton,  are  from  p.  434  of  that  volume.  In  Walton's  First 
Edition  this  part  falls  in  Chap.  V,,  which  is  entitled,  *'  Some  direction  to 
fish  for  the  Trout  by  night  ;  and  a  question  whether  fish  hear  ?  and  lastly, 
fome  direction?  hov^  \q  fish  for  the  Umber  or  Grayling."    The  titles  of 


THE   COMPLETE   ANGLER.  339 

the  other  chapters  in  the  First  Edition  do  not  greatly  differ  from  those  in 
the  present. 

Page  135.      Salvian  takes  him^  etc. 

Hippolito  Salviani,  an  Italian  Physician,  of  the  sixteenth  century  ;  he 
wrote  a  treatise  "  De  Piscibus  cum  eorum  figuris'*  ;  and  died  at  Rome  in 
1572,  aged  fifty-nine.  Haivkins.  The  passage  in  the  text  is  in  chap  vi. 
p.  81,  of  No,  38  in  the  preceding  list.  All  references  to  Gesner  concern- 
ing fish  will  be  found  in  the  fourth  volume  of  No.  19. 

Page  137.      The  Salman     .     .     .     is  said  to  breed,  etc. 

This  very  interesting  and  curious  subject  has  been  recently  most  min- 
utely examined  and  illustrated  by  Mr.  W.  Yarrell,  F.  L.  S. ,  in  his  work 
**  On  the  Growth  of  the  Salmon  in  Fresh-water,  with  six  colored  engrav- 
ings of  the  fish,  of  the  natural  size,  exhibiting  its  character  and  exact  ap- 
pearance at  various  stages  during  the  first  two  years."  Lond.  1839.  Oblong 
folio. 

Page  138.     Alicluxel  Drayton. 

An  excellent  poet,  born  in  Warwickshire  in  1563.  One  of  his  principal 
works,  which  are  very  numerous,  is  the  Poly-  Olbion^  a  chorographical  de- 
scription of  the  rivers,  mountains,  forests,  castles,  etc.,  in  this  island. 
Although  the  poem  has  great  merit,  it  is  rendered  much  more  valuable  by 
the  learned  notes  of  John  Selden.  The  author  died  in  1631,  and  lies 
buried  with  the  Poets  in  Westminster  Abbey.  Hawkins.  The  passage 
referred  to  is  at  p.  88  of  No.  14  of  the  foregoing  list ;  and  in  Camden  it 
occurs  at  page  654.     This  extract  is  not  in  the  First  Edition  of  Walton. 

Page  144.      Gesner  mentions  a  Pike, 

This  story  is  told  by  Dr.  Hakewill  in  his  Apology,  No.  21  of  the  pre- 
ceding list,  lib.  ii.  chap.  8,  sect.  2,  p.  136,  of  that  volume.  Walton  sub- 
sequently mentions  several  instances  of  the  voracity  of  the  Pike  ;  but,  as  a 
proof  that  other  fish  beside  will  swallow  hard  substances.  Fuller,  in  his 
History  of  the  Worthies  of  England,  Lond.  1662,  fol.  Northumberland, 
p.  310,  relates  from  a  book  entitled  "  Vox  Piscis,"  printed  in  1626,  p.  13, 
that  a  Mr.  Anderson,  a  townsman  and  merchant  of  Newcastle,  who  was 
afterwards  knighted,  and  who  was  Mayor  of  that  place  in  1599,  was  con- 
versing on  the  bridge  there,  and  suddenly  let  his  seal-ring  fall  into  the 
river  T)me.  As  Mayor,  he  was  entitled  to  the  first  Salmon  caught  in  the 
season,  and  upon  opening  the  one  that  was  thus  presented  to  him,  his 
own  ring  was  discovered  in  its  stomach. 

Page  147.     Dubravius. 

Janus  Dubravius  Scala,  Bishop  of  Olmutz  in  Moravia,  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  was  born  at  Pilsen  in  Bohemia,  was  sent  Ambassador  into  Sicily, 
and  made  President  of  the  Chamber  which  tried  the  Rebels  of  Smalcald. 
His  book  alluded  to  by  Walton  is  No.  15  in  the  foregoing  list,  the  pas- 


340  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

sage  is  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  book  i.,  and  a  translation  of  it  was  published 
in  4to,  1599,  by  George  Churchey,  Fellow  of  Lincoln's  Inn.  He  is  said 
to  have  died  in  1559.  Hawkins.  The  extract  from  Dubravius  is  not  in 
Walton's  First  Edition. 

Page  150.      Cardanus. 

Jer  )me  Cardan,  an  Italian  physician,  naturalist,  and  astrologer,  born  at 
Pavia,  September  24,  1501,  well  known  by  the  many  works  he  has  pub- 
lished :  he  died  at  Rome  on  September  21,  1576.  It  is  said  that  he  had 
foretold  the  day  of  his  death  ;  and  that,  when  it  approached,  he  suffered 
himself  to  die  of  hunger  to  preserve  his  reputation.  He  had  been  in  Eng- 
land, and  wrote  a  character  of  our  Edward  VI.     Hawkins. 

Page  155.      Sir  Richard  Baker ^  in  whose  Chronicle,  etc. 

Vide  No.  5,  p.  428,  marginal  letter  E.  It  is  probable  that  this  rhyme, 
with  all  its  variations,  is  historically  erroneous.  Not  in  Walton's  First 
Edition. 

Page  156.     ^  T  is  said  by  Jovius. 

Paulus  Jovius,  an  Italian  historian,  of  very  doubtful  authority,  was  born 
at  Como  in  1483.  He  wrote  a  small  tract  De  Romanis  Piscibus,  and  he 
died  at  Florence  in  1552.     Ha-.okins. 

Page  176.     Made  by  Doctor  Donne. 

John  Donne  was  born  in  London  about  the  year  1573,  and  was  educated 
at  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  whence  he  removed  to  Lincoln's  Inn.  He 
afterwards  became  secretary  to  Lord  Ellesmere,  and  privately  addressed 
and  married  a  near  relation  of  his  lady's  ;  which  was  so  highly  resented 
by  Sir  George  Moor,  his  wife's  father,  that  Donne  was  dismissed  from  his 
situation,  and  involved  in  the  greatest  poverty  and  distress.  About  1614, 
he  was  persuaded  to  enter  into  holy  orders,  and  he  at  length  obtained  the 
Deanery  of  St.  Paul's  ;  but  his  misfortunes  had  induced  a  lingering  con- 
sumption, of  which  he  died  in  1631.  Walton.  Dr.  Donne's  Poems  ap- 
pear at  No.  13  of  the  preceding  list,  and  at  p.  190  of  that  volume  are  the 
verses  quoted  in  the  text,  which  are  sometimes  entitled  "  The  Bait."  The 
word  sleave^  on  page  176,  is  from  the  Icelandic  Slefa,  fibres  of  silk,  and 
signifies  to  untwist  ravelled  silk. 

Page  179.      Venerable  Bede. 

The  most  universal  scholar  of  his  time  :  he  was  born  at  Durham  about 
the  year  671,  and  bred  under  St.  John  of  Beverly.  It  is  said  that  Pope 
Sergius  I.  invited  him  to  Rome,  though  others  say  that  he  never  quitted 
his  cell.  He  was  a  man  of  great  virtue,  and  remarkable  for  a  sweet  and 
engaging  disposition  ;  he  died  in  734,  and  lies  buried  at  Durham.  The 
passage  referred  to  in  the  text  is  in  his  Ecclesiastical  History  of  the  Eng- 
lish Nation,  lib.  iv.  cap.  19.  Matthias  de  H  Obel^  who  is  mentioned  in  the 
same  page,  was  an  eminent  physician  and  botanist  of  the  sixteenth  cen- 


THE   COMPLETE  ANGLER.  341 

tury,  and  was  a  native  of  LTsle  in  Flanders.  He  was  a  disciple  of  Ron- 
deletius,  and  was  invited  to  London  by  King  James  L  He  died  in  1616. 
The  book  from  which  the  text  is  quoted  is  No.  31  in  the  foregoing  list. 
John  Gerard^  who  is  also  cited  with  L'Obel,  was  a  surgeon  in  London, 
and  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of  English  botanists  ;  he  was  born  at 
Namptwich  in  Cheshire,  in  1545.  His  Herbal,  mentioned  in  the  text,  is 
No.  17  in  the  list  of  authorities,  and  the  passage  referred  to  is  in  lib.  3,  p. 
1587,  chap.  171,  which  is  entitled  "Of  the  Goose  tree,  Barnacle  tree,  or 
the  Tree  bearing  Geese  "  :  of  this  there  is  a  curious  woodcut.  Hazukins. 
The  passages  from  Lord  Bacon,  quoted  on  p.  179,  are  at  p.  71,  Nos.  46, 
44,  of  his  History,  &c.  ;  those  from  Dr.  Hakewill  are  in  lib.  iv.  sect.  6, 
pp.  433,  434,  of  his  Apology.  The  reference  to  Camden,  on  page  184, 
will  be  found  on  page  666  of  his  Britannia. 

Page  186.      Gasius, 

Antonio  Gazius  of  Padua,  the  author  of  the  "Corona  Florida  Medi- 
cinse,"  which  he  published  at  Venice  in  1491,  in  folio,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
eight.  He  died  in  1530.  His  name  does  not  appear  in  Walton's  First 
Edition. 

Page  1 88.     Doctor  Sheldon. 

Dr.  Gilbert  Sheldon,  Warden  of  All- Souls  College,  Chaplain  to  King 
Charles  I.,  and,  after  the  Restoration,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  He 
was  born  July  19,  1598,  at  Stanton  in  Staffordshire.  He  founded  the 
Theatre  at  Oxford,  died  in  1677,  and  lies  buried  under  a  stately  monu- 
ment at  Croydon  in  Surrey.  Hawkins.  This  passage  is  not  in  Walton's 
First  Edition,  and  the  Second  reads,  "  Doctor  Sh." 

Page  197.      Of  which  Diodoriis  speaks. 

Diodorus,  surnamed  Siculus,  because  his  birthplace  was  Argyra  in 
Sicily,  was  an  excellent  historian,  who  flourished  about  44  years  B.  c.  Of 
his  History  of  Egypt,  Persia,  Syria,  etc.,  there  are  only  fifteen  books  re- 
maining, but  it  originally  consisted  of  forty :  it  was  the  work  of  thirty 
years,  although  the  greatest  part  of  it  is  a  compilation.  The  passage  men- 
tioned in  the  text  is  in  book  v.  ch.  i. 

Page  197.     Phineas  Fletcher. 

The  son  of  Giles  Fletcher,  LL.  D.,  and  Ambassador  from  Queen 
Elizabeth  to  the  Duke  of  Muscovy.  He  is  said  to  have  been  born  about 
1584,  and  in  1600  he  became  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cambridge.  In 
1633  he  was  known  as  the  author  of  a  fine  allegorical  poem,  entitled  "  The 
Purple  Island,"  which  was  printed  at  Cambridge,  with  others  of  his  works. 
He  died  about  1650.     Hawkins. 

Page  198.      You  must  sing  a  part  of  it. 

These  verses  were  composed  for  two  voices,  a  treble  and  a  bass,  by  the 
very  celebrated  Henry  Lawes,  most  probably  at  Walton's  request,  and 


THE  ANGLER'S  SONG.* 
Skt  by  H.  Lawbs,  1653. 

Harmonized  for  Four  Voices. 

By  J.  S.  Major,  1844. 
Mau'8  life    is   but  vain;  For  'tis  sub-ject  to    pain,    And  eor  •  row,    and 


_    -#-    -^    5 I       I     •     J  ■*-  m-^      -^      -^ 


^ 


short  as 


a    bob-ble  ;      'Tis    a  hodge-podge  of  business  and  mon  ey   and 


^—r- 


iifct 


ii^fi^g 


^M 


\^^UU 


z"«rzE 


care  ;  And  care   and  mon-ey  and  trouble. 
^     >!*    -_« 


But  we'll  take  no  care  When  the 


Pli^lippipp 


%    ^ 


We'll  ban-iph   all 


m 


weather  proves  fair;  Nor  will  we    vex  now  tho' it    rain; 


3=C 


t^^ 


i^i^^^iliiaSii 


eor-  row,  And  sing  till    to  mor-row,  And    an  -  gle  and   an  -  gle     a  -  gain. 


*  Walton  himself  calls  this  a  "  Catch," — Hawkins  styles  it  a  Song, — proba- 
bly from  the  nature  of  the  words,  although  the  music  is  perfectly  that  of  the 
Madrigal  so  much  in  the  fashion  of  the  time,  and  now  again  revived  by  per- 
sons of  the  best  musical  ta^te.  The  above  version  is  harmonized  for  four 
vcices.  the  Alto  and  Tenor  bemg  now  first  added.  For  the  convenience  of 
publication,  the  four  parts  are  given  on  two  staves  instead  of  a  stave  for  each 
voice— a  double  tail  being  added  where  two  voices  sing  the  same  note. 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  343 

they  are  to  be  found  at  p.  62  of  a  volume  entitled  "  Select  Ayres  and  Dia- 
logues for  One,  Two,  and  Three  Voyces  ;  to  the  Theorbo-Lvte,  and  Basse- 
Viol.  Composed  by  John  Wilson  and  Charles  Coleman,  Doctors  in  Music, 
Henry  Lawes,"  etc  Lond.  1659,  fol.  It  occurs  in  the  First  Edition  of 
Walton.  The  verses  in  praise  of  Music  are  also  in  the  First  Edition  of 
Walton,  and  are  taken  from  the  end  of  the  same  book  of  songs,  where 
they  are  signed  W.  D,,  Knight,  meaning  perhaps  Sir  William  Davenant, 
Hawkins. 

An  harmonized  version  of  Lawe's  composition  is  given  on  the  preceding 
page. 

Page  205.     Like  the  Rosicrucians. 

The  title  of  the  Rosycrucians,  or  the  Brothers  of  the  Rosy-Cross,  was  first 
assumed  by  a  sect  of  Hermetic  Philosophers  in  Germany,  about  the  com- 
mencement of  the  fourteenth  century.  They  professed  to  have  a  knowl- 
ledge  of  all  the  occult  sciences,  as  the  making  of  gold,  the  prolongation 
of  human  life,  the  restoration  of  youth,  from  which  they  were  also  called 
Immortales,  and  the  formation  of  the  philosopher's  stone  ;  but  all  these 
secrets  they  were  bound  by  a  solemn  oath  to  reveal  only  to  the  members 
of  their  own  fraternity,  and  it  is  to  this  custom,  in  particular,  that  Walton 
alludes.  Their  founder  was  a  German  gentleman,  named  Christian  Crux, 
who  had  travelled  to  Palestine,  where,  falling  sick,  he  was  cured  by 
Arabian  physicians,  who,  he  asserted,  revealed  to  him  their  mysterious 
arts.  He  died  in  1484 ;  and  the  name  of  his  society  was  composed  of  the 
word  Ros,  Dew,  and  his  own  name,  Crux,  a  Cross,  the  old  chemical 
character  for  light.     Mosheim.      Gassendi.     Renaudot.     Brticker, 

Page  206.      Either  to  Mr.  Margrave,  etc. 

There  is  printed  upon  the  reverse  of  the  last  leaf  of  Cotton's  Second 
Part  of  the  Complete  Angler,  Edit.  1676,  the  following  memorandum  con- 
cerning this  person  :  "  Courteous  Reader.  You  may  be  pleas'd  to  take 
notice,  that  at  the  Sign  of  the  Three  Trouts  in  St.  PauPs  Church-Yard,  on 
the  North  side,  you  may  be  fitted  with  all  sorts  of  the  best  Fishing-Tackle, 
by  John  Margrave^"* 

The  four  earlier  editions  of  Walton  read,  "  I  will  go  with  you  either  to 
Charles  Brandon's  (neer  to  the  Swan  in  Golding  Lane) ;  or  to  Mr.  Fletch- 
er's, in  the  Court  which  did  once  belong  to  Dr.  Nowel,  the  Dean  of  St. 
Paul's,  that  I  told  you  was  a  good  man  and  a  good  Fisher  ;  it  is  hard  by 
the  West  end  of  St.  Paul's  Church;  they  be  both,"  etc.  Viator  selects 
Charles  Brandon.  This  is  in  the  last  chapter  of  the  First  Edition.  The 
note  on  the  value  of  an  Angler's  tackle  did  not  appear  until  the  Second 
Edition. 

Page  212.     Matthiolus  commends  him, 

Petrus  Andreas  Matthiolus  was  born   at  Sienna  in  Tuscany,  in  1501. 


344  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

He  was  an  eminent  physician,  and  particularly  famous  for  his  Commen- 
taries on  some  of  the  writings  of  Dioscorides.  He  died  of  the  plague  at 
Trent,  in  1577.     Hawkins, 

Page  214.     As  you  may  note  out  of  Dr,  HeylMs  Geography. 

See  No.  23  in  the  foregoing  list,  from  pages  458,  459  of  which  this  chap- 
ter, from  the  words  "The  chief  is  Thamisis,"  down  to  the  end  of  Dray- 
ton's Sonnet,  is  printed  almost  verbatim.  Dr.  Peter  Heylin  was  born  at 
Burford  in  Oxfordshire,  November  29,  1600.  In  1619  he  was  made  Fel- 
low of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  and  in  1621,  he  published  his  Micro- 
cosmos,  alluded  to  in  the  text.  He  was  steadfastly  attached  to  King 
Charles  I.,  and  wrote  for  him  the  weekly  paper  entitled  Mercurius  Auli- 
cus  ;  though  his  loyalty  reduced  him  to  great  poverty.  He  died  on  May 
8,  1662. 

Page  217.      Gr otitis  in  his  Sophom. 

Hugo  Grotius,  or  De  Groot,  a  very  celebrated  scholar,  statesman,  and 
theologian,  who  was  born  at  Delft  in  Holland,  on  April  10,  1583.  He 
was  at  first  an  advocate,  but  about  16 13  he  became  Grand- Pensionary  of 
Holland  ;  though  in  161 8,  for  adhering  to  the  doctrines  of  Arminius,  he 
was  confined  for  nine  months  in  the  castle  at  the  Hague.  Grotius  died  at 
Rostock  in  Pomerania,  August  28,  1645.  His  works  were  very  numerous, 
and  a  translation  of  that  alluded  to  in  the  text  is  shown  at  No.  20  in  the 
foregoing  list.  The  passage  will  be  found  at  pages  29,  etc.,  in  the  speech 
of  the  Chorus,  and  in  the  notes  to  the  third  Act,  pages  84,  etc.  The  title 
ot  the  Tragedy,  Sophompaneas^  signified,  in  the  Egyptian  language,  the 
Saviour  of  the  World  ;  and  was  given  to  Joseph,  Pharaoh's  minister,  be- 
cause he  delivered  so  many  nations  from  destruction  by  famine. 

Page  228.     //  is  well  said  by  Caussin. 

Nicholas  Caussin,  a  Jesuit  and  Confessor  to  Louis  XHL,  was  born  at 
Troyes  in  Champagne,  in  1580.  He  was  esteemed  a  person  of  great 
probity,  and  of  such  a  spirit  that  he  attempted  to  displace  Cardinal  Riche- 
lieu ;  but  that  minister  proved  too  powerful  for  him,  and  procured  his 
banishment  to  a  city  of  Lower  Bretagne.  He  returned  to  Paris  after  the 
Cardinal's  death,  and  died  in  the  Jesuits'  Convent  there,  in  July,  1651. 
Hawkins.  The  "  grave  Divine  **  mentioned  on  the  same  page,  according 
to  the  Rev.  Moses  Browne,  was  Dr.  Donne.  The  verses  by  Sir  Henry 
Wotton,  in  the  same  place,  are  printed  near  the  end  of  his  Remains,  No. 
43  of  the  preceding  list. 

Page  237.     Brelsford. 

Brelsford,  or  Brailsford,  a  township  in  the  Hundred  of  Appletree,  in 
Derbyshire,  situated  about  seven  miles  northwest  of  the  Town  of  Derby. 

Page  240.      Own  me  for  his  adopted  Son. 

This  alludes  to  the  practice  of  the  ancient  Alchemists  and  Astrologers, 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  345 

of  adopting  favorite  persons  for  their  sons  or  pupils,  to  whom  they  ina- 
parted  their  secrets.  Hawkins.  In  the  English  translation  of  the  Script- 
ures, the  disciples  of  the  Prophets  are  called  *'  the  Sons  of  the  Prophets,** 
with  the  same  signification. 

Page  249.      Tom  Coriate. 

The  son  of  the  Rev.  George  Coriate,  bom  at  Odcombe  in  Somersetshire, 
in  1577.  He  was  educated  at  Westminster  School,  and  at  Gloucester 
Hall,  Oxford  ;  after  which,  he  went  into  the  family  of  Henry  Prince  of 
Wales.  He  travelled  almost  all  over  Europe  on  foot,  and  in  that  tour 
walked  nine  hundred  miles  with  one  pair  of  shoes,  which  he  got  mended 
at  Zurich.  Afterwards  he  visited  Turkey,  Persia,  and  the  Great  Mogul's 
dominions  ;  proceeding  in  so  frugal  a  manner  that,  as  he  tells  his  mother 
in  a  letter,  in  his  ten  months'  travel  between  Aleppo  and  the  Mogul's 
Court,  he  spent  but  three  pounds  sterling,  living  reasonably  well  for 
about  twopence  sterling  a  day  !  He  was  a  redoubted  champion  for 
^he  Christian  religion,  against  the  Mahometans  and  Pagans ;  in  the 
defence  whereof  he  sometimes  risked  his  life.  He  died  of  the  flux,  oc- 
casioned by  drinking  sack  at  Surat  in  1617  ;  having,  in  161 1,  published 
his  Travels  in  a  quarto  volume,  which  he  called  his  Crudities  ;  in  which, 
on  the  reverse  of  b.  i.  in  "a  Character  of  the  Author,"  is  the  passage 
alluded  to  in  the  text.     Hawkins. 

Page  250.      What  have  we  here,  a  church  ? 
•    This  passage  alludes  to  the  Church  at  Alstonefield,  a  Parish  in  the  North 
Division  of  the  Hundred  of  Totmanslow,   and  County  of  Stafford  ;  it  is 
"dedicated  to  St.  Peter,  and  stands  five  miles  north-northwest  from  Ashbom. 

Page  254.     Now  you  are  come  to  the  door. 

This  celebrated  Fishing- House  is  formed  of  stone,  and  the  room  within 
is  a  cube  of  fifteen  feet,  paved  with  black  and  white  marble,  having  in  the 
centre  a  square  black  marble  table.  The  roof,  which  is  triangular  in  shape, 
terminates  in  a  square  stone  sun-dial,  surmounted  by  a  globe  and  a  vane. 
It  was  originally  wainscoted  with  walls  of  carved  panels  and  divisions,  in 
the  larger  spaces  of  which  were  painted  some  of  the  most  interesting  scenes 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  building  ;  whilst  the  smaller  ones  were  occupied  with 
groups  of  fishing-tackle.  In  the  right-hand  corner  stood  a  large  beaufet  with 
folding-doors,  on  which  were  painted  the  portraits  of  Walton  and  Cotton 
attended  by  a  servant-boy ;  and  beneath  it  was  a  closet,  having  a  Trout  and 
a  Grayling  delineated  upon  the  door.  Such  was  the  original  appearance 
of  the  Fishing- House,  as  collected  from  a  description  given  by  Mr.  White 
of  Crickhowel  to  Sir  John  Hawkins,  in  1784;  although  it  was  then  con- 
■"siderably  decayed,  especially  in  the  wainscoting  and  the  paintings.  To 
this,  the  following  account  of  its  present  state,  written  from  actual  obser- 
vation  by  W.  H.  Pepys,  Esq.,  F.  R.  S.,  etc.,  will  form  an  appropriate  and 


346  THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER. 

an  interesting  counterpart.  The  visit  which  it  details  was  made  by  a  party 
composed  of  several  eminent  characters  equally  distinguished  in  Science 
and  the  Fine  Arts. 

"  It  was  in  the  month  of  April,  1811,  that  I  visited  the  celebrated  Fish- 
ing-House of  Cotton  and  Walton.  I  left  Ashbourne  about  nine  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  accompanied  by  several  Brothers  of  the  Angle  :  we  took  the 
Buxton  road  for  about  six  miles,  and,  turning  through  a  gate  to  the  left, 
soon  descended  into  the  valley  of  the  Dove,  and  continued  along  the 
banks  of  the  river  about  three  miles  farther,  when  we  arrived  at  Beresford 
Hall.  The  Fishing-House  is  situated  on  a  small  peninsula,  round  which 
the  river  flows,  and  was  then  nearly  enveloped  with  trees.  It  has  been  a 
small,  neat  stone  building,  covered  with  stone  slates,  or  tiles,  but  is  now 
going  fast  to  decay :  the  stone  steps  by  which  you  entered  the  door  are 
nearly  destroyed.  It  is  of  a  quadrangular  form,  having  a  door  and  two 
windows  in  the  front,  and  one  larger  window  on  each  of  the  other  three 
sides.  The  door  was  secured  on  the  outside  by  a  strong  staple  ;  but  the 
bars  and  casements  of  the  windows  being  gone,  an  easy  entrance  was  ob- 
tained. The  marble  floor,  as  described  by  White  in  1784,  had  been  re- 
moved :  only  one  of  the  pedestals  upon  which  the  table  was  formerly 
placed  was  standing,  and  that  much  deteriorated.  On  the  left  side  was 
the  fireplace,  the  mantle-piece  and  sides  of  which  were  in  a  good  state. 
The  chimney  and  recess  for  the  stove  were  so  exactly  on  the  Rumford 
plan,  that  one  might  have  supposed  he  had  lived  in  the  time  when  it  was 
erected.  On  the  right-hand  side  of  the  room  is  an  angular  excavation  or 
small  cellar,  over  which  the  cupboard,  or  beaufet,  formerly  stood.  The 
wainscoat  of  the  room  is  wanting,  the  ceiling  is  broken,  and  part  of  the 
stone-tiling  admits  both  light  and  water.  Upon  examining  the  small  cellar, 
we  found  the  other  pedestal  which  supported  the  marble  table,  and  against 
the  door  on  the  inside,  three  large  fragments  of  the  table  itself,  which  were 
of  the  Black  Dove-Dale  Marble,  bevelled  on  the  edges,  and  had  been  well 
polished.  The  inscription  over  the  door,  and  the  cipher  of  Walton  and 
Cotton  in  the  key-stone,  were  very  legible." 

Page  270.     As  Damcetas  says  by  his  man  Dorus. 

See  Sir  Philip  Sidney's  Arcadia,  No.  40  in  the  foregoing  list,  lib,  i.  p. 
70,  of  that  volume.     Browne. 

Page  271.     He  was  a  lovely  fish^  and  turned  up  a  side  like  a  salmon. 

There  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  author  of  Guy  Mannering  had  these 
words  in  his  mind,  when  he  wrote  the  description  of  the  Salmon-hunt  near 
Charlies-hope  ;  since  he  makes  one  of  the  characters  say,  "  Come  here, 
Sir  !  Come  here,  Sir !  look  at  this  ane  !  look  at  this  ane  !  he  turns  up  « 
side  like  a  Sow."     Edit.  Edinb.  1815,  vol.  ii.  chap.  v.  p.  65. 


THE  COMPLETE  ANGLER.  347 

Page  276.     Isabella-Colored. 

A  species  of  whitish-yellow,  or  buff-color  somewhat  soiled.  Altieri. 
The  name  of  this  tint  is  said  to  have  originated  in  the  following  circum- 
stance. The  Archduke  Albert,  who  had  married  the  Infanta  Isabella, 
daughter  of  Philip  II.,  King  of  Spain,  with  whom  he  had  the  Low  Coun- 
tries in  dowry,  in  the  year  1602,  having  determined  to  lay  siege  to  Ostend, 
then  in  the  possession  of  the  Protestants,  the  Princess,  who  attended  him 
in  his  expedition,  made  a  vow,  that  until  it  was  captured  she  would  never 
change  her  garments.  It  was,  however,  three  years  before  the  city  was  re- 
duced ;  and  in  that  time  the  Infanta's  linen  had  acquired  tke  hue  above 
mentioned.     Hawkins, 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Abdominal  Fishes,  explanation  of, 

307  ;  Order  of,  308. 
Action,    its    connection    with    Man's 

happiness,   57 ;   Debates  on   ditto, 

327- 
iElian,  C,  63  ;  Account  of,  &c.,  313, 

331. 
Air,  eulogium  on,  45. 
Albertus    Magnus,  89,  180 ;  Account 

of.  334- 

Aldrovandus,  U.,  in,  134,  173,  183; 
Account  of,  &c.,  313,  337. 

Ambrose,  St. ,  his  admiration  of  the 
Grayling,  135. 

Amos,  Illustration  from  the  Prophet, 
57.  67,  327- 

Amwell  Hill,  42,  72,  j^. 

Anglers,  eminent  modern,  16  ;  Ditto 
ancient,  67  ;  Qualities  of,  56 ;  The 
Angler's  Wish,  70,  124  ;  Ditto  Song, 
103  ;  Their  peculiar  enjoyment  of 
Nature,  21,  no. 

Angling,   earliest   English   work    on, 
21  ;  Paper    on,   from    the    Sketch- 1 
Book,  24  ;  Defence   of,  44 ;    Praise  j 
of,  55,   56  ;  Antiquity  of,  56,  326  ;  | 
Allowed   to    Ecclesiastics,    67 ;  Re- 
marks  on,  68,  69 ;  With    an    Arti- 
ficial Fly,  120;  With  a  Natural  Fly, 
121,  122,  258;  At  the    Bottom,  257, 
298  ;  In  the  Middle,  257,  302  ;  With 
Cadis,  208,  298,  299 ;  With  a   Min- 
now, 108  ;    With   a    Running-line, 
107,  298  ;  With  a  Ledger-bait,  149  ; 
With  a  Float,  298  ;  By  Hand,  296. 

Ant-Fly,  83,  201,  202  ;  Directions  for 
Making,  287,  288. 

Apostles,  four  of  them  Fishermen, 
65  ;  Comparison  of  their  language, 
67. 

April,  Artificial  Flies  for,  116, 117,  277. 

Aristotle,  59,  62,  65,  156,  328  ;  Ac- 
count of,  330, 

Ash  Grub,  299,  304. 

Ashmole,  E. ,  his  collection  of  Natural 
History,  and  Portrait  of,  60 ;  Ac- 
count of  him  and  his  collection, 
339. 


August,  Artificial  Flies  for,  116,  a^S. 
Ausonius,    D.    M.,  62,   191 ;  Account 

of,  330. 
Authors  consulted  by  Walton,  313. 

Bacon,  Fr.,  Baron  Verulam,  refer- 
ences to,  89,  90,  131,  138,  139,  142, 
144,  158.  178,  179.  313,  334. 

Baker,  Sir  R. ,  references  to,  155,  313, 
340. 

Bakbel,  observations  on  the,  &c., 
185  ;  Representation  of  the,  231 ; 
Season  of  the,  200 ;  Linnaean  de- 
scription of  the,  309, 

Barker,  Tho.,  22,  117,  313  ;  Account 
of,  337. 

Bartas,  G.  de  S.  Du,  references  to, 
62,  63,  64,  112,  179,  313,  330,  337 ; 
Account  of,  330. 

Bede,  Venerable,  his  notice  of  the 
Island  of  Ely,  179 ;  Account  of, 
340. 

Beggars,  humorous  story  of,  126. 

Beresford  Hall,  242,  254. 

Berners,  Jul,  her  work  on  Hunting, 
&c.,  21. 

Birds,  various  properties  of,  46  ;  Ene- 
mies to  Fish,  jj ;  Migrations,  89 ; 
Breed  of,  92. 

Black  Blue  Dun-Fly,  directions  for 
making,  288. 

Fly,  ditto,  116,  279,  286. 

Gnat-Fly,  ditto,  276,  278. 

Hackle-Fly,  ditto,  287. 

Bland,  Michael,  Esq.,  an  advocate  for 
a  Monument  to  Walton,  31. 

Bleak,  particulars  of  the.  191  ;  En- 
graving of  the,  192  ;  Linnaean  de- 
scription of  the,  310. 

Blue  Dun-Fly,  directions  for  making, 
275,  276. 

Brandling,  106,  175. 

Bream,  observations  of  the,  163 ; 
Engraving  of  the,  164 ;  Seasons  of 
the,  168 ;  Linnaean  description  of 
the,  309. 

Bright  Brown  Fly,  directions  for  mak- 
ing, 376. 


350 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Bright  Dun  Gnat-Fly,  ditto,  273. 

Broderip,  W.  J.,  Esq.,  his  various 
kind  assistances  to  this  work,  312. 

Browne,  Rev,  M.,  his  praise  of  Wal- 
ton. 23. 

Bull-Head,  210;  Account  of  the, 
211 ;  Linnsean  description  of  the, 
307. 

Butler,  Dr.  W. ,  remark  of,  123 ;  Ac- 
count of,  338. 

Cadis- Worms,  account  of,  200,  207, 
280  ;  How  to  angle  with,  207,  298, 
300.304. 

Camden,  W., references  to,  38,  59,  74, 
170,  179,  180,  184,  217,  313. 

Cardanus,  J.,  Extract  from,  150;  No- 
tice of,  &c.,  313,  340. 

Carp,  docility  of,  131 ;  Observations 
of  the,  &c. ,  155  ;  Representation  of 
the,  159  ;  How  to  dress  the,  162 ; 
Linnsean  description  of  the,  309. 

Casaubon,  Dr.  M.,  references  to,  60, 
129,  313,  328. 

Caterpillar,  account  of,  no. 

Caussin,  N.,  references  to,  228,  313  ; 
Account  of,  344. 

Chalkhill,  J.,  verses  by,  101,  194. 

Chub,  observations  on  the,  73  ;  Rep- 
resentation of  the,  79  ;  How  to  fish 
for  and  dress  the,  81 ;  Linnaean  de- 
scription of  the,  309. 

Confidence  in  God,  incitements  to, 
232. 

Conscience,  happiness  of  a  good,  228. 

Contemplation,  how  connected  with 
man's  happiness,  57 ;  Debates  on 
ditto,  327. 

Content,  verses  in  praise  of,  197,  229; 
Incitements  to,  233. 

Coriate,  Tho.,  249  ;  Account  of,  345. 

Cotton,  Ch. ,  various  particulars  of, 
11;  Letter  of,  12;  Poem  by,  13; 
Character  of,  16. 

Covetous  men  unhappy,  43. 

Country  Scenery,  beautiful  descrip- 
tion of,  196. 

Life,  Song  in  Praise  of,  loi. 

Dace,  observations  on  the,  200  ;  En- 
graving of  the,  201 ;  Linnaean  de- 
scription of  the,  310. 

David,  his  exceeding  gratitude  to 
God,  227. 

Davison,  F. ,  humorous  song  by,  127. 

Davors,  J.,  pastoral  song  by,  70; 
His  real  name,  &c.,  326. 

Davy,  Sir  H.,  Characteristic  Memo- 
rial to  his  friend  W.  H.  Pepys, 
Esq..  37. 


December,  Artificial  Flies  for,  289. 
Dennys,  J.,  his   Secrets  of  Angling, 

326. 
Derbyshire,  rivers  in,  245. 
Diodorus   Siculus,  references  to,  197, 

313.  341. 

Donne,  Dr.  J. ,  his  Portrait,  9  ;  Praise 
of  Walton's  life  of,  9  ;  Copy  of  a 
Seal  given  by  him  to  Walton,  32  ; 
Verses  by,  176;    Account   of,  &c., 

314.  340. 

Dove  River,  account  of,  245. 
Drayton,  M.,  his  description   of  the 
Salmon-leap,  138,  139  ;    Sonnet  on 
the   English  Rivers,  215  ;  Account 
of.  &c.,  314,  339. 
,  Dubravius,  J.  S.,  references   to,  147, 
j      158,  218,  314  ;  Account  of,  339. 
1  Dun-Flies,  no ;  Directions  for  mak- 
I      ing,  116,  275. 

i  Earth,  eulogy  on,  49 ;  Earth-Worms, 
!      how  bred,  106. 
Eel,  observations  on  the,  and  how  to 
fish  for  the,  178  ;  How  to  dress  the, 
182 ;  Linnaean  description  of  the, 
307. 
Elizabeth,  Queen,  her  Laws  on  the 
eating  Fish,  333. 

Feathers,  a  yellow  dye  for.  283. 

February,  Artificial  Flies  for,  274, 

Fish,  of  extraordinary  size,  53,  128, 
216;  Have  the  sense  of  hearing,  131; 
Linnaean  arrangement  of,  306. 

Fish-days,  laws  for  their  preservation, 
333 

Fishhooks,  mention  of  in  the  Script- 
tures,  57,  327. 

Fish-ponds,  directions  for  making, 
218. 

Fishing-house,  at  Beresford  Hall,  de- 
scriptions of,  254,  345. 

Fletcher,  P.,  Verses  by,  197  ;  Account 
of,  &c.,  314,  341. 

Flies,  Artificial,  directions  for  mak- 
ing, 115,  117,.  262,  265,  273,  274; 
Materials  for,  118  ;  How  to  discover 
what  are  taken,  275  ;  How  to  angle 
with,  259  ;  Natural^  how  to  angle 
with,  120  ;  Water,  observations  on, 
208. 

Florio,  J. ,  account  of,  402. 

Flounder,  notice  of,  and  bait  for  the, 
183. 

Floud,  R.,  his  verses  in  praise  of 
Walton,  33. 

Fly-fishing,  remarks  on,  12 ;  Direc- 
tions concerning,  117,  258. 

Frogs,   wonderfully    sustained,    189; 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


351 


Their    enmity    to    the    Pike,    147 ; 
How  to  bait  with,  151,  152,  175. 
Fuhmart,  account  of  the,  323. 

Gasius,  or  Gazius,  A. ,  186 ;  Notice  of, 

341- 
Gentles,  105,  161,  164,  187,  201  ;  How 

to  breed,  203. 
Gerard,  J.,  179;  Notice  of,  &c.,  314, 

341. 
Gei.ner,  C,  references  to,  62,  65,  74, 

87.  134,  139.  144,  154.  158.  163,  173. 

179,  180,  186,  211,  314,  339 ;  Account 

of,  330. 
Grasshopper,  82,  84,  164 ;   How  sus- 
tained without  a  mouth,  89. 
Grayling,   or  Umber,  obacrvations 

on  the,  and  how  to  fish  for,  134,  257  ; 

Engraving  of,  135 ;    How  to  dress, 

295  ;    Linnaean  description  of  the, 

309- 
Green-Drake  Fly,  account  of,  280. 
Grotius,    H.,   217;   Account   of,  &c., 

314.  344- 
Ground-Bait    for    Bream,    &c.,    166; 

Angling  by  hand  with,  for,  297. 
Grubs,  how  to  find  and  preserve,  203, 

299  ;  How  to  angle  with,  299. 
Gudgeon,  observations  on,  and  how 

to  fish  for,  190  ;   Linnaean  descrip- 
tion of,  310. 
Guiniad,  notice  of  the,  184. 
Guzman,  the  English,  126 ;  Notice  of, 

338. 
Gypsies,  a  party  of,  humorous  story 

concerning,  125. 

Hackle-Flies,  directions  for  making, 
274. 

Hair,  how  to  select,  221. 

Hakewill,  Dr.  G.,  references  to,  131, 
179.  314,  321.  333.  339;  Account  of, 
338. 

Hampshire,  famous  for  Trout  rivers, 
130,  239. 

Hand,  Angling  by,  explained,  296. 

Harvie  or  Harvey,  Chr. ,  his  verses, 
122  ;  Account  of,  337. 

H.istings,  Sir  G.,  88,  205  ;  Notice  of, 
334- 

Hawking,  the  praise  of,  45  ;  Hawks, 
list  of,  48,  49 ;  Works  on,  317,  322. 

Hawkins,  Sir  J.,  his  statement  con- 
cerning Walton,  18  ;  His  first  Edi- 
tion of  the  Complete  Angler,  23. 

Hawthorn-Fly,  120. 

Herbert,  G. ,  Portrait  of,  9  ;  Verses 
by,  61,  121;  Account  of,  &c. ,  314, 

329.  337- 
Heylin,   P.,   his  description  of  Eng- 


lish Rivers,  214 ;    Account  of,  &c., 
I      314.  344. 

Hoddesdon,  Thatched-House  at,  41. 
I      72  ;  Notice  of,  316. 

Holy  Spirit,  form  of  the  descent  of 
I      the,  48,  322. 

Hook,  directions  for  baiting,  107,  208, 
I      212,  282,  296,  300. 
I  HouKer,  R.,  Portrait  of,  9. 

hu.noer  River,  account  of,  215,  346. 
I  Hunting,  the  praise  of,  49 ;  Not  per- 
j      mitted  to  Ecclesiastics,  67. 

j  Introductory  Essay,  9. 

Irving,  W.,his  eulogy  on  Walton,  24. 
I  Isaac,  Hebrew  spelling  and  significa- 
'      tion  of,  315. 

Isabella-colored,  276  ;  Historical  ex- 
j      planation  of,  347. 

I  January,  Artificial  Flies  for,  373. 

i  Josephus  F.,   references  to,  60,  314, 

!     328. 

I  Jovius,   P.,  references  to,    156,   314; 

Account  of,  340. 
j  July,  Artificial  Flies  for,  117,  287. 
I  June,  Artificial  Flies  for,  117,  286. 

j  Lamprels  or  Lampreys,  181,  183, 

Laneare,  N.,  Song  composed  by,  338. 

Lawes,  H.,  Song  composed  by,  341. 

Laws  concerning  Fish,  76,  333. 

Lebault  or  Liebault,  Dr.  J.,  refer- 
ences to,  218,  219,  314. 

Lessius,  L.,  references  to,  115,  314, 
337. 

Lines,  various  directions  concerning, 
221,  260,  296. 

Linnaean  Ai  rangement  of  River  Fish, 
306. 

Loach,  representation  of  the,  210 ; 
Particulars  concerning  the,  211 ; 
Linnaean  description  of  the,  308. 

Lob-worm,  106,  107,  108,  141,  172, 
181. 

London-Bridge,  excellent  Roach  near, 
201. 

Lowth,  Dr.  R.,  illustration  from,  327, 

Lucian,  Verses  prefixed  to  his  Dia- 
logues, 43  ;  Hickes's  Translation  of, 
319- 

Macrobius,  A. ,  references  to,  and 
account  of,  53,  324. 

March,  Artificial  Flies  for,  116,  276. 

Markham,  G.,  illustrations  from,  317, 
323,  326. 

Markland,  Abr.,  account  of,  316. 

Marlow,  Chr.,  Song  by,  94,  95;  Ac- 
count of,  334. 


352 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Marsh- Worm,  i6o,  172. 

Martial,  his  Epigram  on  Fish,  132. 

Matthiolus,  P.  A.,  references  to,  212, 
314 ;  Account  of,  343. 

May,  Artificial  Flies  for,  116,  278. 

May-Fly,  how  to  make,  120,  201  ;  Ac- 
count of,  121 ;  Various  titles  of  the, 
280. 

Meadow-Worm,  160. 

Medway,  notice  of  the  River,  215. 

Mercator,  G.,  reference  to,  87  ;  Ac- 
count of  him,  334. 

Middle,  Angling  in  the,  257,  302. 

Miller's  Thumb,  a  name  of  the  Bull- 
Head,  2IO,  211. 

Minnow,  used  as  a  Bait,  85,  105,  io8, 
141,  17s,  181,  192,  302,  303;  Time 
of  catching,  and  description  of  the, 
108,  211,  310;  How  to  preserve  and 
imitate,  108;  Representation  of  the, 
210  ;  How  to  dress,  211  ;  Linnaean 
description  of  the,  310. 

Montaigne,  M.  de,  references  to,  and 
account  of,  43,  314,  320.  331. 

Moorish-Fly,  how  to  make,  116. 

Moses,  various  references  to,  48,  51, 
52.  53,  57.  66. 

Moss,  for  scouring  Worms,  107. 

Mouldwarp,  explanation  of  the  name, 

323- 

Moulin.  P.  Du,  references  to,  and  ac- 
count of,  58,  314,  327. 

Mullet,  how  used  in  Roman  Feasts, 
85  ;  Verses  on  the,  64 ;  Peculiar 
kind  of,  89. 

Music,  to  the  Angler's  Song,  342. 

Verses  in  praise  of,  341. 

Nicolas,  Sir  H.,  his  copious  Life  of, 
and  Literary  Illustrations  of  Wal- 
ton, 24, 

Night-fishing,  particulars  of,  130. 

Nightingale,  melody  of,  47. 

Notes,  Illustrative,  311  ;  Character  of 
the,  27, 

November,  Artificial  Flies  for,  289. 

Nowel,  Dr.  Al.,  Character  of.  68,  69; 
Account  of,  332  ;  Notice  of  his  Resi- 
dence, 343. 

Oak-Fly.  directions  for  making  and 
finding.  120.  121 ;  Worm.  106. 

Obel,  M.  de  L',  references  to,  179, 
315  ;  Notice  of,  340. 

October,  Flies  for,  289. 

OfRey,  J.,  10;  Original  Dedication 
to.  35. 

Oils  for  Baits,  remarks  on,  142,  152, 


i6i,  205,  301. 


loi,  aps   '• 
Qrange-Fly* 


how  to  make,  287. 


Orders  of  Fishes,  306. 

Otter,  great  destruction  of  Fish  by 
the,  42,  73,  76  ;  various  particulars 
of  the,  7S  ;  Description  of  an  Otter- 
hunt,  74,  317  ;  Tame  ones  taught  to 
fish,  75 ;  Power  of  the,  to  smell 
under  water,  142. 

Overbury,  Sir  Tho..  96,  315;  His 
Milkmaid's  character,  335 

Owl-Fly,  how  to  make,  286. 

Palmer,  or  Pilgrim-Worm,  account 
of,  in  ;  Palmer-Flies,  directions  for 
making,  118,  120,  274,  279. 

Pastes,  for  Chub,  85  ;  For  Carp,  160, 
161  ;  For  Bream.  164  ;  For  Tench, 
171  ;  For  Barbel,  187  ;  For  Roach, 
202. 

Peacock-Fly,  how  to  make,  279,  287. 

Pearch,  observations  on  the,  173 ; 
Representation  of  the,  175,  310  ; 
How  to  fish  for,  175  ;  Linnasan  de- 
scription of  the.  308. 

Pemble-Mere.  a  fish  peculiar  to.  184. 

Pepys.  W.  H.,  the  friend  of  Sir  H. 
Davy,  28 ;  His  account  of  Cotton's 
Fishing-House.  345. 

Perkins.  W.,  his  praise  of  Angling, 
67  ;  Account  of,  332. 

Peucerus,  G. ,  129 ;  Account  of,  338. 

Pickerel-Weed,  various  properties  of, 
144,  149. 

Pigeons,  various  uses  of,  47  ;  Their 
long  flight  for  food,  74  ;  Names  of, 
92. 

Pike,  observations  on  the,  144;  In- 
stances of  its  voracity,  144,  147,  339; 
Representation  of  the,  149;  How  to 
fish  for,  149.  151  ;  Baits  for,  id., 
151 ;  How  to  dress,  153  :  Countries 
of,  154  ;  Destroyed  by  Tadpoles, 
157 ;   Linnaean   description  of  the, 

Pike-Pool,  Staffordshire,  description 
of,  270. 

Pinto.  F.  M..  references  to.  and  ac- 
count of,  67.  315.  331. 

Pliny.  C.  S..  references  to,  60,  61,  65. 
no.  131,  150,  156,  315  ;  Account  of, 
330. 

Plutarch,  references  to,  67,  187,  315, 
332. 

Poetry,  vide  Songs,  13,  17,  18,  33,  43, 
61.  62,  63,  64,  70,  71,  77,  94,  121, 
122,  123.  124,  132,  139.  155,  176,  197, 
205.  214.  215.  229,  231,  270,  320. 

Powell.  Dr.  R. ,  contributor  of  the 
Linnaean  Arrangement  of  Fish,  306. 

Prophets,  inspiration  of,  58 ;  Com- 
parison of,  66,  67. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


353 


Proverbs,  various,  41,  43,  'jd,  loi,  103, 
164,  173,  183,  237.  249,  251. 

Raleigh.  Sir  W.,  Song  by,  94,  95,  335. 

Raven,  various  particulars  of  the,  48, 
89. 

Red-Worm,  165,  190,  191. 

Rich  Men,  unhappiness  of,  224. 

Ring  swallowed  by  a  Salmon, account 
of,  339. 

Rivers,  the  wonders  of,  59  ;  Accounts 
of  the  English,  213,  245. 

Roach,  observations  on,  164,  200 ; 
Inferior  breed  of,  201 ;  Representa- 
tion of  the,  201;  How  to  fish  for  the, 
204,  206 ;  Linnsean  description  of 
the,  309. 

Rod,  various  directions  for  the,  223, 

259. 
Rome,    splendid     entertainment     of 

Fish  there,  53  ;  Rarities  of,  54. 
Rondeletius,  Guil,  references  to,  62, 

170,  178,  179,  186,  315 ;  Account  of, 

330- 
Rosicrucians,  allusion    to    the,  205  ; 

Notice  of  the,  343. 
Royal     Society,    reference     to    the 

transactions  of  the,  92,  315,  334. 
Ruddy-Fly,  how  to  make,  116. 
Ruds,  an  inferior  Roach,  201. 
Ruffe  or  Pope,   representation    of 

the,  &c. ,  191  ;  Linn^-Ean  description 

of  the,  308. 
Running-line,  how  to  bait  the  hook  of 

a,  107. 

Sadler,  Mr.  R.,  42  ;  Account  of,  318. 

Sad- Yellow- Fly,  how  to  make,  116. 

Salmon,  observations  on  the.  137  ; 
Leap  of  the,  and  verses  on  ditto, 
1381  139  ;  Age  and  growth  of  the, 
139 ;  Representation  of  the,  140  ; 
Seasons  of  the,  38,  140,  200  ;  How 
to  fish  for  the,  141  ;  Varieties  of  the, 
90,  142 ;  Linnaean  description  of 
the,  308,  309. 

Salvian,  Hipp.,  references  to,  135, 
315  ;  Account  of,  339. 

Samlet  or  Skegger-Trout,  engrav- 
ing of  the,  88  ;  A  variation  of  the 
■  Salmon,  143  ;  Linnasan  description 
of  the,  308 ;  A  distinct  species  of 
fish,  309. 

Sanderson,  Dr.  R.,  Portrait  of,  9. 

Sandys,  G. ,  references  to  his  Travels, 
47.  315  I  Account  of,  321. 

Sargus,  verses  on  the,  63. 

Scouring  of  Worms,  directions  for, 
10$. 


Sea,  discoveries  made  by   means  of 

the,   54 ;    Sea-Angler,    a    Fish    so 

called,  62. 
Seneca,  L.  A. ,  references  to,  85,  333. 
September,  Artificial  Flies  for,  288. 
Severn  River,   account  of  its  springy 

and  course,  214. 
Shaw,    Dr.   G.,    his  classification  of 

Fishes,  306. 
Sheldon,    Dr.    G.,i88;    Account  of, 

341- 

Shell-Fly,  how  to  make,  116,  288. 

Sheridan,  Hon.  R.  B.,  his  praise  of 
the  Complete  Angler,  -27. 

Sidney,  Sir  P.  .references  to,  254,  315, 
346. 

Singing  Birds,  eulogy  on,  46. 

Sketch-book,  paper  on  Angling  from 
the,  24. 

Snakes,  bred  by  various  means,  148. 

Songs,  names  and  references  to  old, 
95,  loi,  334,  335  ;  The  Milkmaid's, 
95.  97'  335t  33^  I  Answer  to  ditto, 
96  ;  Coridon's  Song,  loi ;  The  Beg- 
gar's ditto,  127  ;  The  Anglers  ditto, 
103,  194,  342  ;  Kenna's  ditto,  338. 

Sticklkback,  representation  ot  the, 
210 ;  Descriptions  and  uses  of  the, 
109.  212,  308. 

Stone-Fly,  no ;  Account  of  the,  380 ; 
Birth  and  Description  of,  284;  How 
to  make,  116,  285. 

Sussex,  Fish  peculiar  to,  89. 

Tackle,  directions  concerning,  ao6 ; 
Ditto  for  making,  221. 

Tawny-Fly,  how  to  make,  Ii6. 

Tench,  observations  on  the,  170; 
Medical  virtues  of  the,  171 ;  Repre- 
sentation of  the,  171  ;  Linnaean  de- 
scription of  the,  309. 

Thames,  River,  account  of  the,  314 ; 
Verses  on,  214  ;  Trouts  in,  88. 

Thatched-House,  Herts.,  41,  72  ;  No- 
tice of,  316. 

Theobald's  House,  41 ;  History  of, 

325- 

Thorn-tree  Fly,  how  to  make,  276. 

Top,  Angling  at  the,  explained,  257. 

Topsell,  Edw.,  references  to,  iio, 
150,  315,  333. 

Tottenham  High-Cross,  41,  228. 

Tradescant,  J.,  his  Museum,  60  ;  Ac- 
count of,  328. 

Trent  River,  account  of  the,  215,  246. 

Trout,  observations  on  the,  87  ;  Va- 
rieties of  the,  88,  90,  91  ;  Seasons 
of  the,  91,  208  ;  How  to  fish  for,  99, 
115,  130,  297,  302  ;  Representation 
of  the,  99 ;    Best  anglers  for  the. 


354 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


30I ;  How  to  dress,  294  ;  Linnaean 

description  of  the,  308. 
Tyne,  notice  of  the  River,  215. 
Tweed,  notice  of  the  River,  215. 

Umber,  a  name  of  the  Grayling,  134, 
^3S<  136. 

Valdesso,  Sign.  J.,  references   to  his 

works,  account  of,  328. 
Varro.  references  to,  and  account  of, 

47.  53,  321,  324, 
Ventral    fins,  orders   of  fishes   taken 

from  the,  306, 
Violet-Fly,  directions  for  making,  277. 

Walking-Bait  explained,  149. 

"Waller.  Edm.,  Verses  by,  198. 

Wall-Fly,  a  bait  for  a  Chub,  83. 

Walton,  Izaak,  his  literary  character, 
9.  32;  Biographical  Sketch  of,  18  ; 
Fac-similes  of  his  writing.  13,  32  ; 
His  Will,  28  ;  Character  of.  by  Cot- 
ton, 240 ;  Notes  by,  254,  270. 

■  Izaak,  Jun.,  20,  29.  33,  270. 
Wasps,  used  as  Baits.  164,  179,  204, 
Wasp)-Fly,  how  to  make,  116,  287. 
Water,  the  praise  of,  52  ;  A  medium 

for  sound,  131. 
-  Frogs,  nature  of,  &c.,  150,  220. 

■  ■    ■  Snake,  account  of,  148. 


Wharton,  Dr.  The,  216  ;  Account  o^ 
324- 

Whirling-Dun-Fly,  how  to  make,  276, 
277. 

Whitaker,  Dr.  W. ,  68  ;  Account  of, 
332- 

White-Bait,  a  distinct  species  of  fish, 
309. 

Willow,  experiment  with  concerning 
water,  52. 

Worms,  names  of.and  directions  con- 
cerning, 105,  106,  107,  141,  142,  160, 
165,  172.  191,  203,  296,  298,  299. 

Wotton,  Sir  H.,  references  to,  10,  69, 
70,  192,  229,  230,  315  ;  Portrait  of, 
9  ;  Account  of,  332. 

Wye  River,  notice  of,  248. 


Xenophon,  references  to,  50,  315,  323. 


Yarrel.  W,,  Esq.,  treatise  on  tha 
growth  of  the  Salmon,  339. 

Yellow  Dun-Fly,  how  to  make,  116, 
277. 

Yellow  dye  for  feathers,  282. 


Zouch,  Dr.  Tho.,  his  praise  of  Wal 
ton,  24. 


rS  10612 


:i-!;!i 


